Gregg Wallace live: MasterChef host faces new claims of ‘groping’ as BBC urged to pull show immediately
Banijay UK, which produces MasterChef, said Wallace is ‘committed to fully co-operating’ with external review
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Your support makes all the difference.The BBC is facing growing calls to pull tomorrow’s episode of MasterChef off air, after two women came forward to claim Gregg Wallace inappropriately touched them.
BBC News reported that the MasterChef host allegedly pressed his crotch against the bottom of a woman working on the BBC show Eat Well For Less during filming in a supermarket in 2015 and that he allegedly touched the bottom of another woman during a group hug in a lift in 2022.
The broadcaster announced on Tuesday it had scrapped its MasterChef Christmas specials amid an investigation into allegations by 13 individuals of sexually inappropriate comments made by Wallace.
But as fresh allegations of misconduct come to light, pressure is mounting on BBC bosses to axe MasterChef entirely, as the professional version of the series is set to continue airing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with Wallace as a judge.
Labour MP Rachel Taylor told BBC Radio 4: “I for one don’t want to be watching a sex pests fawning over fancy food around my Christmas time. I want to see action taken to protect women in the workplace.”
“I don’t think it should be on our screens for a number of reasons. It’s a slap in the face to those women who have been affected by this behaviour.”
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How much is MasterChef worth to the BBC as broadcaster finally axes show amid Gregg Wallace investigation?
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Who is investigating Gregg Wallace?
Although Gregg Wallace appears on our screens on the BBC, the broadcasters themselves are not carrying out the investigation into the MasterChef host.
After allegations of misconduct were made by 13 women, it is the production company behind the show, Banijay UK, who are conducting the inquiry.
The company, which also produces Big Brother and Peaky Blinders, said Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating” with the external review.
Broadcasters need independent scrutiny, union leader says
A trade union leader has called for the media industry to come to together and “accept” the need for independent scrutiny of broadcasters amid the Gregg Wallace scandal.
Head media trade union, Bectu, Philippa Childs told BBC Radio 4: “I think all broadcasters have to think about their processes and procedures. I know that has been the BBC’s defence in this case and indeed Banijya’s defence.
“But I think the time has come now for the whole industry to come together and accept that there does need to be some independent scrutitny of how broadcasters and production companies work to try and adress this endemic problem.”
Watch: Masterchef contestant says Gregg Wallace comments worthy of 'building site'
How much is MasterChef worth to the BBC as broadcaster finally axes show amid Gregg Wallace investigation?
Perhaps the most well-known cooking competition in the world, the MasterChef brand has faced some of its most challenging moments since its beginnings in recent days.
Gregg Wallace, the greengrocer turned TV host who has fronted the show for almost 20 years, was forced to step away on Thursday as allegations of misconduct from 13 people over a 17-year period are investigated.
Since the complaints came to light, many more women have come forward to share their experiences with Wallace, with many alleging he made a series of sexually inappropriate comments whilst filming for the show itself.
Read more here:
How much is MasterChef worth to the BBC?
The show has been adapted in 65 territories worldwide, and broadcast in over 200
‘I don’t want to be watching a sex pests fawning over fancy food’, says MP
The BBC is facing more calls to pause broadcasting of MasterChef as more allegations against Gregg Wallace are made.
Labour MP Rachel Taylor told BBC Radio 4: “I for one don’t want to be watching a sex pests fawning over fancy food around my Christmas time. I want to see action taken to protect women in the workplace.”
“I don’t think it should be on our screens for a number of reasons. It’s a slap in the face to those women who have been affected by this behaviour.”
She went on to say she believes the show should be pulled off air until the investigation into Wallace’s behaviour has concluded.
What have Banijay, the company investigating Wallace claims, said?
Last Thursday, it was announced that Wallace would be stepping away from hit BBC cooking show MasterChef while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by the producer Banijay UK.
A spokesperson from the production company said: “Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously but while the external investigation is ongoing, we won’t be commenting on individual allegations.
“It is important to note, that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened, and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors.
“These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously. HR contact details are promoted and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns.”
Gregg Wallace faces fresh allegations of ‘groping'
TV star Gregg Wallace, who stepped back from presenting BBC MasterChef last week, is facing fresh allegations of inappropriately touching women.
One woman said he touched her bottom after an event and another said he pressed his crotch against her while filming on a different show, according to BBC News.
Banijay UK, which produces MasterChef, previously said Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating” with the external review while his lawyers have previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.
BBC News reported that Wallace allegedly pressed his crotch against the bottom of a woman working on the BBC show Eat Well For Less during filming in a supermarket in 2015 and that he allegedly touched the bottom of another woman during a group hug in a lift in 2022.
Premium: Gregg Wallace is just the latest example of a much bigger problem with men
The allegations against the ‘MasterChef’ presenter show that if you are important enough and powerful enough your transgressions will often be overlooked. It’s time for that to change, writes Eleanor Mills:
Read the full Premium article here:
Gregg Wallace is just the latest example of a much bigger problem with men
The allegations against the ‘MasterChef’ presenter show that if you are important enough and powerful enough your transgressions will often be overlooked. It’s time for that to change, writes Eleanor Mills
Men on TV must consider ‘banter’, Stephen Fry says
Stephen Fry has said men in television must consider who may be the “victim or stereotype” at the root of their “light banter” after Gregg Wallace apologised for his response to complaints made about his behaviour.
Fry told Sky News Breakfast on Tuesday: “I think if, by now, people who work in television, men who work in television, don’t understand that light banter is no longer something that can be aired in ways unless they think hard about, is there a sort of victim or a stereotype at the root of this banter who might be hurt.
“And it’s just good manners, really. Good manners have changed. In Victorian times, certain things couldn’t be referred to or seen and it was only polite to obey this because people were shocked and upset if things were not respected that they respect.
“And so I think we’ve all just got to realise it’s not about wokeness, it’s just about being sensitive to the atmosphere.”
Who is celebrity chef Gregg Wallace?
Gregg Wallace, 60, is best known for co-presenting MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
He was the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has also featured on Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest, and Supermarket Secrets.
He was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022 for his services to food and charity. Mr Wallace took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and was partnered with Aliona Vilani.
He has two children, Tom and Libby, from a former relationship. He married Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2016 and the couple have a son called Sid.