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Gregg Wallace
Gregg Wallace
TV presenter Gregg Wallace is stepping down from his role on MasterChef after the BBC received allegations from several people, including broadcaster Kirsty Wark, of making inappropriate sexual comments.
BBC News reportedly sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday outlining claims of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him over a 17-year period.
Newsnight presenter Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, claimed Wallace told “sexualised” stories and jokes during filming, the BBC reports.
Wallace’s lawyers have said it is entirely false that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour.
Wallace, 60, is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”, a statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK said.
The statement from Banijay UK said: “This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.
“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.
“While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.
“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.”
The statement added: “If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.”
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.”
The broadcaster is best known for co-presenting the popular cooking show MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will transmit as planned.
28 November 2024
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