Dame Prue Leith has spoken out against cancel culture amid allegations surrounding MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace, arguing that he should not be sacked despite ongoing misconduct claims.
The Great British Bake Off star, 84, emphasised the importance of due process whilst addressing the controversy on Times Radio.
Wallace, 60, who has stepped down from MasterChef pending an investigation, faces historical allegations of misconduct and fresh claims of harassment.
Dame Prue suggested that while Wallace may be “insensitive,” she believes he likely doesn’t understand what he’s done wrong and shouldn’t face immediate dismissal.
According to his lawyers, Wallace strongly denies allegations that he “engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
The accusations include claims that he touched a woman’s bottom at an event and pressed his crotch against another whilst filming a different show.
The investigation encompasses allegations from 13 people across various shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News.
Gregg Wallace has left BBC MasterChef
ITV
Several MasterChef staff members and former contestants, including Emma Kennedy and Kirsty Wark, have claimed Wallace made them feel uncomfortable on set.
The 60-year-old presenter has temporarily stepped down from his role on MasterChef while an external review is conducted.
Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Prue said: “I’m a great believer in due process… He should just stay off social media because he’s just digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole because he’s too insensitive to understand how offensive it is.”
The veteran chef added: “But that’s his problem, that he’s insensitive. He hasn’t, that I can see, disobeyed the law.”
She acknowledged the need for investigation but remained firm in her stance against immediate dismissal.
“I don’t believe people should be cancelled or sacked. I can see why you would ask somebody to step aside while they investigate things, which I suppose is what they’re doing,” she told Cathy Newman.
Gregg Wallace continues to face fresh allegations
Getty
“I bet you Gregg has no idea what he’s done wrong,” she concluded.
Dame Prue took aim at television executives during her Times Radio interview, criticising their approach to managing presenters.
“Yes, very weak,” she said when asked about TV executives’ handling of such situations.
She argued for a firmer stance, stating: “For goodness sake, they can replace Gregg Wallace. They can replace anybody. So they should be tough with their presenters.”
The Bake Off judge called for clearer guidelines, adding: “They should be very clear about whatever the rules are.”
However, she remained measured in her criticism, noting: “I do think they’ve been weak. But I don’t want to say that he should be sacked because I don’t know what the crime is.”
Among the specific allegations, Wallace was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a British Sign Language interpreter at the BBC Good Food Show in 2012.
According to an attendee at Birmingham’s NEC Arena, Wallace asked the interpreter if she had to sign everything he said.
He then reportedly proceeded to say phrases like “big boobs” and “sexy bum” to make her sign them.
The attendee claimed: “It was like he could control her, I suppose.”
These allegations were brought to light by Wallace’s former ghostwriter, Shannon Kyle, during an interview with Victoria Derbyshire on NewsNight.
The claims form part of a broader pattern of alleged misconduct spanning multiple shows and nearly two decades.
Bake Off star Prue shared her thoughts on the misconduct allegations
Getty
Wallace has since taken to social media to challenge the accusations, claiming they came from “middle-class women of a certain age.”
This response prompted criticism from Ulrika Jonsson, who said his “ignorance and arrogance knows no bounds.”
Following the backlash, Wallace issued an apology and announced he would be taking time away from social media.
The presenter is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process” during the BBC’s investigation, according to a statement from production company Banijay UK.
The investigation continues as Wallace remains temporarily removed from his MasterChef duties pending its outcome.