The BBC is pushing on with MasterChef production despite the ream of Gregg Wallace allegations that emerged yesterday, as a conversation is kickstarted around “open secrets” in TV.
Wallace, a fixture on BBC TV screens for decades, has stepped away from presenting MasterChef after producer Banijay UK, which owns MasterChef maker Shine, launched an external review into his behavior.
The BBC published an initial report of 13 people saying Wallace had made inappropriate sexual comments – with former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark coming on the record to say he told “sexualised jokes” during filming on at least two occasions – and since then more people have come forward.
Last night, Rod Stewart took to Instagram accusing Wallace of “humiliating” his wife Penny Lancaster when she was on MasterChef. Others told the BBC Wallace down the years talked openly about his sex life, took his top off in front of a female worker and told a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans. In a letter to BBC News, Wallace’s lawyers denied he engaged in behavior of a “sexually harassing nature.” His spokesperson declined to comment beyond the Banijay UK statement. In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday evening, Wallace said: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support.”
“Open secrets”
Bectu head Philippa Childs said the allegations finally emerging after more than 20 years of Wallace being on screen speak to a culture whereby “open secrets are allowed to fester.”
“The allegations levelled at Gregg Wallace are very serious, as is their scope and the significant time period they span,” she said. “It’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure film and TV workers can have confidence that allegations will be taken seriously, investigated and dealt with swiftly, and perpetrators held to account.”
Deadline has spoken with a number of behind-the-camera workers in UK TV who concurred that Wallace’s behavior had been an “open secret” for some time. CIISA, a broadcaster-backed anonymous bullying reporting service for the UK TV and film industries which has been in the offing for the past couple of years, could play the role Childs is referring to, but is yet to launch in full. And the probe comes with trust in BBC talent plummeting. The One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas was fired by the corporation for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to colleagues, while two Strictly Come Dancing professionals exited that show amid misconduct allegations. Also this year, BBC News anchor Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to accessing child abuse images.
While Childs was keen to highlight the seriousness of the Wallace situation, she also stressed how important it is for MasterChef to continue rolling cameras given the paucity of work in what has been a tough year for the freelance community. “It would be absolutely brutal if this decision were to result in freelance crew suffering the consequences of Wallace’s alleged behaviour if filming is paused,” she added. “Banijay should commit to honouring freelancer contracts in full, particularly given that Christmas is just weeks away, and families will be depending on those payments.”
The BBC and Banijay concur. Both have confirmed that filming will continue into December, with six episodes now remaining of the 17th season of MasterChef: The Professionals, which concludes in two weeks. An episode featuring Wallace that had already been recorded transmitted as planned last night.
At time of publication, all episodes from the MasterChef back catalog remain on BBC iPlayer and the MasterChef section of the player is bedecked with images of a smiling Wallace alongside fellow presenters.
A Banijay UK spokeswoman said: “Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set. Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated. Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them. It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.”