By Variety | Created at 2024-11-28 13:30:04 | Updated at 2024-11-28 15:53:45
3 hours ago
Television host Gregg Wallace is to step down as the presenter of the U.K. version of “MasterChef,” which airs on public broadcaster BBC, while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated.
Wallace, who has been a co-host and judge on the cooking show since 2005, is “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process,” the show’s production company Banijay UK said.
Wallace has appeared on a number of BBC shows in the past, including “Saturday Kitchen,” “Eat Well for Less,” “Supermarket Secrets,” “Celebrity MasterChef” and “MasterChef: The Professionals,” as well as being a “Strictly Come Dancing” contestant in 2014.
Last year, Wallace received a national honor – becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire – for services to food and charity.
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.”
According to BBC News, it sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday setting out allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him across five shows from 2005 to 2022.
Wallace’s lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behavior of a sexually harassing nature.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a “Celebrity MasterChef” contestant in 2011, said he told “sexualized” jokes during filming, BBC News alleged Thursday.
Wark, who is best known for hosting the BBC’s “Newsnight,” told BBC News that on two occasions, during early morning filming, Wallace told stories and jokes of a “sexualized nature” in front of contestants and crew.
She said she feels strongly that the comments were “really, really in the wrong place.”
Other allegations heard by BBC News include Wallace talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to “give her a fashion show,” and telling a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.
BBC News found that Wallace was warned by the BBC after a complaint was raised in 2018, but further incidents have since emerged.
BBC News started investigating Wallace in the summer, after becoming aware of allegations.
In a statement on Thursday, Banijay UK said the BBC received complaints this week “from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct” while working with Wallace on one of Banijay UK’s shows.
The company added that “we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.”
While this review is underway, Wallace will step away from his role on “MasterChef,” and is “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process,” Banijay UK added.
The company said its “duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behavior 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 behavior 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.”
