TV presenter Gregg Wallace is to step down as host of the British model of MasterChef, which airs on public broadcaster BBC, amid an investigation into allegations of historic misconduct.
Wallace has been a co-host and decide on the cooking present since 2005 and the present’s manufacturing firm, Banijay UK, stated he was “dedicated to cooperating absolutely all through the method”.
Wallace has appeared on various BBC packages up to now, together with Saturday Kitchen, Eat Properly for Much less, Grocery store Secrets and techniques, Celeb MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals ” and is a “strict cook dinner.”
Final yr, Wallace acquired a nationwide honor for his providers to meals and charity – changing into a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
A BBC spokesman stated: “We take any considerations raised with us critically and have strong processes in place to cope with them.”
Based on BBC Information, the corporate despatched a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday alleging that Wallace made inappropriate sexual feedback to 13 individuals who labored with him on 5 reveals between 2005 and 2022. .
Wallace’s attorneys say the suggestion that he engaged in conduct of a sexually harassing nature is just false.
Broadcaster Kirsty Walker, a 2011 “Celeb Chef” contestant, stated he informed “sexualized” jokes throughout filming, BBC Information stated Thursday.
Walker, greatest identified for internet hosting the BBC’s Newsnight, informed BBC Information that on two events throughout early morning filming, Wallace informed tales and jokes of a “sexualized nature” in entrance of contestants and employees.
She stated she felt strongly the feedback have been “actually, actually misplaced.”
Different allegations heard by BBC Information embody that Wallace spoke brazenly about his intercourse life, took off his shirt in entrance of a feminine employees member and stated he needed to “give her a style present” and informed a junior feminine colleague that he No boxer shorts worn beneath denims.
BBC Information discovered that Wallace was warned by the BBC after receiving a grievance in 2018, however additional incidents have since emerged.
BBC Information started investigating Wallace this summer season after changing into conscious of the allegations.
In a press release on Thursday, Banijay UK stated the BBC this week acquired “complaints from people regarding historic allegations of misconduct” whereas working with Wallace on a Banijay UK present.
The corporate added, “We imagine it’s applicable to conduct a right away exterior assessment to conduct a full and neutral investigation.”
Banij UK added that Wallace will step down from his position on MasterChef whereas the assessment is ongoing and is “dedicated to cooperating absolutely all through the method”.
The corporate stated, “Our obligation of care to our staff is at all times a precedence, and we now have clear behavioral expectations for forged and crew on all productions and lift considerations in quite a lot of methods, together with anonymously, on set, Put it up for sale clearly.
“Whereas these are historic allegations, we’re conscious of incidents the place these expectations weren’t met and we’ll examine them totally and handle them appropriately.”
A BBC spokesperson stated: “We take any considerations raised with us critically and have strong processes in place to cope with them.
“We’ve got at all times been clear that something beneath the requirements anticipated by the BBC won’t be tolerated.
“The place a person is contracted on to an exterior manufacturing firm, we’ll share any complaints or considerations with that firm and we’ll at all times help them as we resolve these points.”
