Gregg Wallace has apologised for saying allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made by “middle-class women of a certain age”, claiming he felt “under siege”.
Wallace said in a video posted on Instagram that he was “not in a good place” and he is “under a lot of stress”.
“I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it, I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it,” he said, adding that he will “take some time out”.
Downing Street condemned Wallace’s remarks about middle class women as “inappropriate and misogynistic”.
The BBC is resisting calls to pause broadcasts of MasterChef as it investigates allegations by 13 individuals of sexually inappropriate comments made by Wallace, who stepped down from the programme on Thursday.
The current series of MasterChef: The Professionals, with Wallace as a judge, will continue to be aired as planned. “MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual,” a BBC spokesman said.
“Any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated,” the broadcaster reiterated.
Key points
- Gregg Wallace apologises for ‘any offence that I caused'
- No10 says Wallace comments on middle class women were ‘misogynistic’
- BBC under pressure to pause Masterchef as it probes allegations
- MasterChef allegations ‘tip of the iceberg’, ex-contestant claims
- Gregg Wallace not contracted for future series, production company confirms
- Wallace says accusations come from ‘middle-class women of a certain age’
ICYMI: Gregg not contracted for future series, production company confirms
17:36
Alex Croft
The company that produces MasterChef, has confirmed Gregg Wallace is not contracted for future series as an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour is carried out.
Production company Banijay UK told The Independent that Wallace is contracted on a series by series basis and is not set to be a part of future series while the investigation is ongoing.
Wallace is ‘full of jokes’, says TV chef Tom Kerridge
17:10
Alex Croft
TV chef Tom Kerridge said he has always known Gregg Wallace to be “full of jokes”.
“And he’s always full of charisma. And that front of camera charisma is always something that continues into off-screen as well”, Mr Kerridge told Sky News’ Politics hub.
Kirstie Allsopp ‘so embarrassed’ by Gregg Wallace sex remark
16:43
Alex Croft
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has said she was “so embarrassed” she thought she “might cry” after Gregg Wallace allegedly made a comment to her about his sex life.
Allsopp, 53, said the encounter took place several years ago in a performers’ lounge while she was filming a pilot for a TV quiz show alongside Wallace and his partner.
She told BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend: “I’d been chatting to her, she left the room and he (Wallace) made a reference to something they did in bed.
“You know that feeling when you’re so embarrassed that you think you might cry. You just feel kind of internally scarlet. I had that feeling and I always remembered it.”
Gregg Wallace tells Strictly partner he does not wear underwear
16:25
Alex Croft
Comment | The BBC has a Gregg Wallace problem that goes beyond MasterChef
15:51
Andy Gregory
In a comment piece for Independent Voices, former head of BBC news Roger Mosey writes:
Is the fate of a television cookery presenter more important than Syrian insurgents seizing Aleppo and the turmoil on the streets in Georgia? The BBC thinks so, based on its news judgements in recent days, which have seen exhaustive coverage of the accusations against Gregg Wallace take precedence over matters of life and death around the world.
Once again, the “independence” of BBC News has been trumpeted in its ability to report on the corporation’s own business – but for many it reflects a self-obsession and lack of perspective which questions the judgement of the news division. Senior BBC executives share this view, I know, but they feel powerless to intervene without the risk of being accused of corporate cover-ups.
And yes, of course, the Wallace affair should be reported on – proportionately. It is both a genuine story, with obvious upset caused to those who’ve had a nasty experience with the former MasterChef host, and it is a further blow to the BBC which has been battling against misbehaviour by its presenters for decades.
What makes this case particularly damaging – and we should note that investigations are continuing and no conclusions have yet emerged – is that it seems that managers in the BBC and in the production company Banijay must have known that there was a Wallace Problem.
Read the full article with Independent Premium:
Timeline of events as Gregg Wallace faces wave of accusations
15:17
Andy Gregory
Gregg Wallace has faced a series of accusations since it was announced he would step away from presenting MasterChef while complaints about historical allegations of misconduct are externally reviewed.
The presenter, 60, faces various claims of making “inappropriate sexual jokes” and complaints about his behaviour – with his lawyer saying “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
Here is a timeline of events:
Watch: Gregg Wallace issues apology over ‘women of a certain age’ remark
14:50
Andy Gregory
Gregg Wallace says head ‘not in a good place’ in new apology
14:29
Andy Gregory
A visibly emotional Gregg Wallace has apologised after posting a video saying complaints about his alleged inappropriate behaviour came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
In a new Instagram message, posted on Monday, the MasterChef presenter said his head was “not in a good place” and that he is “under a lot of stress”.
My colleague Lucy Leeson reports:
Downing Street says Wallace comments on middle class women were ‘misogynistic'
14:11
Holly Evans
Downing Street has said Gregg Wallace’s response to the accusations being made against him was “inappropriate and misogynistic”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has since held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row, Downing Street said.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Culture Secretary spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues to seek assurances that there are robust processes in place to deal with complaints.
“Clearly the comments we have seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic.
“More broadly the BBC is conducting an independent review into workplace culture which must deliver clear and timely recommendations. It’s essential that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BBC takes these issues seriously.”
Asked whether MasterChef should be pulled off air, the spokesman added the decision was for the BBC and the show’s production company, and reiterated that Downing Street believes it is “right” that a thorough investigation is conducted.
Essential that staff and public are confident BBC takes workplace issues seriously, says No 10
14:03
Andy Gregory
Downing Street has warned that it is “essential that staff and the wider public have confidence” that the BBC takes issues relating to workplace culture seriously.
After revealing that culture secretary Lisa Nandy spoke to BBC bosses last week after the Gregg Wallace row began, No 10 said: “More broadly the BBC is conducting an independent review into workplace culture which must deliver clear and timely recommendations.
“It’s essential that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BBC takes these issues seriously.”
Gregg Wallace apologises for ‘any offence that I caused'
13:55
Holly Evans
Gregg Wallace has apologised for “any offence that I caused” after posting a video saying complaints about his behaviour came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
In a video posted on Instagram, Wallace said: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.
“I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it, I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it.
“It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out, now, while this investigation is under way I hope you understand and I do hope you will accept this apology.”
Who is celebrity chef Gregg Wallace?
13:42
Andy Gregory
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.
Wallace’s latest remarks in full
13:22
Andy Gregory
MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has said accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Speaking in a video posted on his Instagram page, the 60-year-old said: “I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life.
“Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time.
“I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.
“In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo? Can you imagine?”
Culture secretary spoke to BBC bosses after Gregg Wallace row erupted, No 10 says
13:01
Andy Gregory
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy held talks with BBC bosses to seek assurances that “there are rohbust processes in place to deal with complaints” in the wake of the Gregg Wallace row, Downing Street has said.
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson said that Ms Nandy “spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues”.
Wallace remarks on middle-class women ‘inappropriate and misogynistic’, says No 10
12:44
Andy Gregory
Downing Street has condemned Gregg Wallace’s remarks characterising those who have complained about his alleged comments as being “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Asked about Wallace’s remarks, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson was cited as saying by the Telegraph: “On this, as we said last week these allegations are obviously deeply concerning. It’s right that a thorough investigation is conducted.
“Obviously that’s for the BBC and the production company but I would add that the Culture Secretary spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues to seek assurances that there are robust processes in place to deal with the complaints.
“And as you know clearly the comments that we’ve seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”
BBC source says wrong to suggest broadcaster has not acted on complaints
12:35
Andy Gregory
A BBC source has said it would be wrong to report that the broadcaster has not acted when complaints have been raised.
The source said: “While we are not going to comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, particularly when there is an ongoing process in place being run by Banijay who have the direct contractual relationship with Gregg Wallace, it would be wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken.
“We continue to urge caution about pre-judging any of this, particularly the involvement of BBC staff members and any inference they have not acted appropriately.”
BBC executive Kate Phillips raised concerns in 2017 that Gregg Wallace’s behaviour was “unacceptable and cannot continue” after former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir complained about inappropriate comments during filming, the Sunday Times has reported.
The newspaper claimed Wallace then received another warning the following year after a complaint was raised about his behaviour on the quiz show Impossible Celebrities.
Lorraine Kelly responds to Gregg Wallace MasterChef scandal
12:14
Andy Gregory
BBC expected to go ahead with broadcasting filmed MasterChef episodes as planned
11:44
Andy Gregory
As the BBC faces pressure to pause future broadcasts of MasterChef while the allegations of inappropriate sexual remarks by Gregg Wallace are investigated, is understood that all filmed episodes will go ahead as planned.
A BBC spokesperson 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.
“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.”
Gregg Wallace’s latest comments criticised by ex Celebrity MasterChef contestant
11:23
Andy Gregory
A former Celebrity MasterChef contestant has said Gregg Wallace’s reaction to the accusations being made against him shows he has “no insight or understanding of how he behaves”.
Addressing Wallace’s response to the accusations, Scottish TV presenter Aggie MacKenzie told Good Morning Britain: “This illustrates how he just has no insight or understanding of how he behaves. He just doesn’t get it.
“He’s been allowed to carry on in his own sweet way for many, many years.”
BBC should examine how complaints against stars are dealt with, Tory MP says
10:58
Andy Gregory
A Tory frontbencher has suggested that the BBC must examine how complaints against its stars are dealt with.
Shadow paymaster general Richard Holden told Sky News: “Quite clearly there’s a lot of issues facing the BBC over this. He’s been a star presenter for a number of years, and quite clearly a lot of this stuff’s been mentioned before.
“And so this needs to be properly looked at, not just around his behaviour, but around how things are dealt with when things are mentioned as well.”
Asked whether the BBC should pull its MasterChef Christmas special, Mr Holden said: “This is going to be a decision for them as far as a broader view. I think it’s really important that they look at this.”
Watch: Gregg Wallace denounces Masterchef complaints from 'middle-class women'
10:35
Andy Gregory
‘DisasterChef’: Gregg Wallace claims carried on multiple front pages
10:10
Andy Gregory
Headlines relating to the claims against Gregg Wallace and his remarks that they have come from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” were splashed across multiple newspaper front pages today.
The Daily Mirror’s headline reads “DisasterChef” in a story focusing on his “middle-class women” remarks.
Monday's DAILY MIRROR: DisasterChef#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/NisWE2C8BI
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) December 1, 2024
The Metro’s headline reads: “Women of a certain rage”, while the Mail claims the BBC was aware of four complaints about Wallace.
The Sun and Telegraph both also focus on the backlash to his remarks, with The Guardian also carrying the story on its front page.
Monday's SUN: Shut your cake hole, Gregg#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ex0OGG9yRm
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) December 1, 2024
And the Daily Star features “cut out and keep crisis management advice for anyone called Gregg”:
Monday's DAILY STAR: When you're in a really, really, really deep hole..stop digging!#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DdoGIs82p4
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) December 1, 2024
MasterChef contestant Aggie Mackenzie says Greg Wallace was ‘allowed to tell smutty jokes’
09:51
Andy Gregory
Former MasterChef contestant Aggie Mackenzie claims host Greg Wallace was “allowed to tell smutty jokes” during filming.
Ms Mackenzie, who appeared on the Celebrity version of the show in 2011, told Good Morning Britain on Monday: “The jokes were always smutty, they were endless and he seemed to be allowed to carry on in this way.”
Lucy Leeson has more details:
BBC executive raised concerns over Wallace’s ‘unacceptable’ behaviour in 2017, report claims
09:32
Andy Gregory
BBC executive Kate Phillips raised concerns in 2017 that Gregg Wallace’s behaviour was “unacceptable and cannot continue” after former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir complained about inappropriate comments during filming, the Sunday Times has reported.
In an email forwarded to Ms Phillips in November 2017, Ms Mir wrote: “Should anything happen in the future, I don’t want to feel guilty when people say, ‘Why wasn’t anything said before?’, or for producers or editors to claim they didn’t know.”
The newspaper claimed Wallace then received another warning the following year after a complaint was raised about his behaviour on the quiz show Impossible Celebrities.
Take MasterChef off air while Gregg Wallace is investigated, Labour MP demands
09:14
Andy Gregory
A senior Labour MP has demanded that the BBC take MasterChef off air as the scandal around allegations against the celebrity chef presenter Gregg Wallace continues to escalate.
Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central and Acton, told Radio 4’s Today programme that continuing to run the show while Wallace is being investigated “sends the wrong message” and risks damaging the broadcaster’s reputation worldwide.
Ms Huq said: “I understand [Master Chef] is scheduled for 9pm today and it is all over the Christmas schedules but it seems to be not going away from the news. It’s number two on your bulletin.
“I think possibly there is an argument for pausing while this investigation takes its course and maybe not airing it tonight. I mean it could be massively triggering for the women involved - in fact any woman involved in any type of similar incidents.”
“We need the investigation to do its work, but at the same time if it is being dangled on our screens where all this is going on I just think at the moment, maybe pause it.”
Our political editor David Maddox has more details:
Watch: Ex-MasterChef star Aggie Mackenzie claims Gregg Wallace told ‘smutty’ jokes
08:56
Andy Gregory
Gregg Wallace allegations just ‘tip of the iceberg’, former MasterChef contestant says
08:41
Andy Gregory
Allegations against Gregg Wallace are merely the “tip of the iceberg” in what was a “really quite toxic environment” at MasterChef, a former contestant has claimed.
In remarks to Sky News, the anonymous former contestant alleged that he had been so horrified by the widespread “abuse” of contestants on the show that he considered quitting on his first day – but was too scared to speak out after signing a non-disclosure agreement.
“There was a systemic problem that was larger than just him, in my view. Gregg ... would occasionally crack jokes that in different ways felt inappropriate but he wasn’t the only one,” the former contestant told Sky News.
He added: “I think it’s good that these things are coming out and I’m glad that people are speaking up, it’s brilliant. But I do think it’s the tip of the iceberg. I think if you were to really unravel and look at what was going on in that culture at large you’d see a lot more, you know, abuse.”
“It certainly wasn't everyone, but there was certainly people from all levels of the organisation,” the ex-contesant said, adding: “It was all men ... I don't think I ever witnessed any of the women taking part in it.”
Full story: BBC in turmoil over Gregg Wallace allegations as presenter faces backlash for blaming ‘middle-class women’
08:00
Athena Stavrou
The BBC is facing further criticism over its response to allegations against Gregg Wallace amid a furious backlash to the MasterChef host’s claim that accusations that he had made sexual comments to staff and guests had come from “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Wallace stepped back from the cooking show on Thursday as a string of allegations emerged concerning the 60-year-old’s behaviour, including that he had made inappropriate sexual jokes, asked for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressed in front of women.
Over the weekend, reports emerged that the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel “uncomfortable” in his presence.
Read the full story:
Premium: I’m surprised Gregg Wallace didn’t call his female accusers ‘Karens’
07:00
Athena Stavrou
There’s a good reason why the disgraced former MasterChef host is angry with ‘middle-class women of a certain age’ – we’ve spent a lifetime putting up with men’s bad behaviour, and age brings the confidence to stand up to it, says Alice Smellie:
Gregg not contracted for future series, production company confirms
06:00
Athena Stavrou
The company that produces MasterChef, has confirmed Gregg Wallace is not contracted for future series as an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour is carried out.
Production company Banijay UK told The Independent that Wallace is contracted on a series by series basis and is not set to be a part of future series while the investigation is ongoing.
Comedians and journalists respond to Wallace’s ‘middle-class women of a certain age’ claims
05:12
Athena Stavrou
A number of public figures have taken to social media today in the wake of Gregg Wallace’s claims that all of those who had made complaints against him were “‘middle-class women of a certain age”.
Radio presenter Julie Hartley-Brewer posted a meme accompanied by: “Spare a thought for Gregg Wallace’s PR agent waking up this morning,”
Meanwhile, comedian David Baddiel wrote: “It’s not often that the internet gets behind middle-class middle-aged women these days, but thanks to Gregg Wallace for making it happen.”
It's not often that the internet gets behind middle-class middle-aged women these days, but thanks to Gregg Wallace for making it happen.
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) December 1, 2024
Kirstie Allsopp ‘so embarrassed’ by Gregg Wallace sex remark
04:00
Athena Stavrou
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has said she was “so embarrassed” she thought she “might cry” after Gregg Wallace allegedly made a comment to her about his sex life.
Allsopp, 53, said the encounter took place several years ago in a performers’ lounge while she was filming a pilot for a TV quiz show alongside Wallace and his partner.
She told BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend: “I’d been chatting to her, she left the room and he (Wallace) made a reference to something they did in bed.
“You know that feeling when you’re so embarrassed that you think you might cry. You just feel kind of internally scarlet. I had that feeling and I always remembered it.”
From troubled childhood to troubling reputation, this TV stalwart is facing self-destruction
03:00
Athena Stavrou
“Gregg Wallace was always an unlikely TV star,” writes The Independent’s TV critic Nick Hilton. “Prematurely bald, stout, and the proud wearer of thick glasses, he seemed destined for an unglamorous life amid the vegetable stalls of the capital, rather than on TV screens across the country.
“And yet, the presenter, who has stepped back from his role as a judge on MasterChef after a series of historic sexual misconduct allegations came to light, has made himself part of the furniture at the BBC. And that makes his rapid fall from grace even more troubling for the corporation, though Wallace’s lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
Read Nick Hilton’s full analysis here:
Watch: Gregg Wallace tells Strictly partner he does not wear underwear
02:00
Athena Stavrou
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall advises Gregg to ‘rein it in’
01:01
Athena Stavrou
Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has advised Gregg Wallace to “rein it in” as the MasterChef host takes to social media to respond to claims of inappropriate behaviour against him.
In response to Wallace’s earlier claim that all complainants against him were “middle-class women of a certain age”, Fearnley-Whittingstall said the comments were “not wise”.
He told the BBC that he doesn’t know the fallen star well, but having met him a few times, called him “likeable and professional”.
He said: “I don’t think it’s smart to come out talking like that when at the moment he should probably be listening.”
Full story: BBC in turmoil over Gregg Wallace allegations as presenter faces backlash for blaming ‘middle-class women’
00:01
Athena Stavrou
The BBC is facing further criticism over its response to allegations against Gregg Wallace amid a furious backlash to the MasterChef host’s claim that accusations that he had made sexual comments to staff and guests had come from “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Wallace stepped back from the cooking show on Thursday as a string of allegations emerged concerning the 60-year-old’s behaviour, including that he had made inappropriate sexual jokes, asked for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressed in front of women.
Over the weekend, reports emerged that the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel “uncomfortable” in his presence.
Read the full story:
Politicians share concerns over Gregg Wallace accusations
Sunday 1 December 2024 23:15
Alex Ross
Politicians have spoken out about concerns surrounding the handling of Gregg Wallace’s misconduct allegations after it emerged claims were reported as far back as 2017.
The Conservative chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Caroline Dinenage, vowed to raise concerns to BBC bosses when possible.
She told The Telegraph: “BBC bosses appear in front of us on a regular basis and at the next opportunity I’m sure members will want to raise the issue of the BBC complaints process and whether it’s protecting the staff who work there or on its behalf.”
Labour MP and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee member Paul Waugh echoed these concerns; “Both BBC staff and the wider public will want to know whether the Corporation’s processes are fit for purpose. And I hope the director-general will have some answers when he’s next before the Committee.”
Premium: I’m surprised Gregg Wallace didn’t call his female accusers ‘Karens’
Sunday 1 December 2024 23:12
Athena Stavrou
There’s a good reason why the disgraced former MasterChef host is angry with ‘middle-class women of a certain age’ – we’ve spent a lifetime putting up with men’s bad behaviour, and age brings the confidence to stand up to it, says Alice Smellie:
Ulrika Jonsson responds to Gregg Wallace’s ‘women of a certain age’ comment after ‘rape joke’
Sunday 1 December 2024 22:01
Athena Stavrou
TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, who claimed Gregg Wallace made a “rape joke” during the filming of Celebrity MasterChef, has said she was “seething” after seeing him single out “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Jonsson is one of several women who have accused Wallace of inappropriate behaviour as she claimed he was forced to apologise for the joke he made during filming for an episode of the cooking competition.
In response to Wallace’s comments made on social media this morning, the presenter told The Telegraph: “When he made reference to women of a certain age I was just seething... I was just absolutely wild.
“My first reaction was just, ‘Keep digging, Gregg. Keep digging’ because this shows the arrogance of a man who has zero introspection or self-awareness.
“When we refer to women ‘of a certain age’, they tend to be women my age, over 50, which is ironic because we are some of the hardiest women out there. When I was starting out, we had to put up with all sorts of sexist, misogynistic comments, and we put up with them.
‘‘It’s the height of arrogance for him to say, ‘Oh it’s this small bunch, it’s this small cohort of people who are different’. No, Gregg, actually, it’s not about being different. It’s about being respectable and having some ability to not just read the room, but to read the world.”
Gregg shares host of supportive messages to social media
Sunday 1 December 2024 21:01
Athena Stavrou
Amid accusations of inappropriate behaviour, Gregg Wallace has taken to social media to share supportive messages he has received in recent days.
The MasterChef host, who has stepped down in light of recent allegations, has posted screenshots of several messages from former contestants to his Instagram story on Sunday.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall advises Gregg to ‘rein it in'
Sunday 1 December 2024 20:11
Athena Stavrou
Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has advised Gregg Wallace to “rein it in” as the MasterChef host takes to social media to respond to claims of inappropriate behaviour against him.
In response to Wallace’s earlier claim that all complainants against him were “middle-class women of a certain age”, Fearnley-Whittingstall said the comments were “not wise”.
He told the BBC that he doesn’t know the fallen star well, but having met him a few times, called him “likeable and professional”.
He said: “I don’t think it’s smart to come out talking like that when at the moment he should probably be listening.”
Inside Gregg Wallace’s rocky love life with four wives as he exits MasterChef amid misconduct claims
Sunday 1 December 2024 19:23
Athena Stavrou
Gregg Wallace will step away from presenting MasterChef while new complaints made by individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.
The presenter, 60, known for his colourful on-camera quips was previously accused of making sexually inappropriate comments to a female BBC colleague in 2018, and was forced to quit Inside the Factory over “inappropriate” remarks allegedly made to female staff last year, which he denies.
Wallace, who – among other complaints – has been accused by former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark of making jokes of a “sexualised nature” when she was competing on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, has previously said he resents any insinuation he was “flirting” with someone who is not his wife Anna, 37.
Read the full report here:
Gregg not contracted for future series, production company confirms
Sunday 1 December 2024 18:29
Athena Stavrou
The company that produces MasterChef, has confirmed Gregg Wallace is not contracted for future series as an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour is carried out.
Production company Banijay UK told The Independent that Wallace is contracted on a series by series basis and is not set to be a part of future series while the investigation is ongoing.
Will upcoming MasterChef episodes featuring Gregg Wallace air as normal?
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:57
Athena Stavrou
Upcoming episodes of MasterChef are expected to air on the BBC as planned after Gregg Wallace stepped down from his role as a host of the cooking show.
Future episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals are still slated to air on the broadcaster, while two Christmas specials are planned for the festive season.
A BBC spokesperson told The Independent: “Right now the plan is, if it’s already been recorded, it will go out.”
John Torode’s brutal Gregg Wallace comments dredged up in wake of allegations against Masterchef co-host
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:11
Athena Stavrou
John Torode’s rare comments about Gregg Wallace are being dredged up in the wake of the allegations against his co-host.
In 2017, Torode made headlines after claiming that he had “never been friends” with Wallace.
He said in an interview with The Mirror: “It’s funny, we’ve never been friends. We’ve not been to each other’s houses. If we go away to somewhere like South Africa, we do things separately. If we do go out for a drink, I’ll invariably be at one end of a big old table and he’ll be at the other.”
However, Torode was best man during Wallace’s wedding to Anne-Maire Sterpini in 2016 and, despite his attempts to seemingly distance himself from his co-host, Wallace said on an episode of Lorraine that same year: “I film with John six or seven months of the year, so we are very close to each other physically, and emotionally we are very close to each other.
“What’s great about having a partnership is that if one of you is a bit off, a bit down, the other one naturally steps up, so I rely on John a lot.”
Watch: Sean Lock's assessment of Masterchef host Gregg Wallace
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:43
Athena Stavrou
Comedians and journalists respond to Wallace’s ‘middle-class women of a certain age’ claims
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:20
Athena Stavrou
A number of public figures have taken to social media today in the wake of Gregg Wallace’s claims that all of those who had made complaints against him were “‘middle-class women of a certain age”.
Radio presenter Julie Hartley-Brewer posted a meme accompanied by: “Spare a thought for Gregg Wallace’s PR agent waking up this morning,”
Meanwhile, comedian David Baddiel wrote: “It’s not often that the internet gets behind middle-class middle-aged women these days, but thanks to Gregg Wallace for making it happen.”
It's not often that the internet gets behind middle-class middle-aged women these days, but thanks to Gregg Wallace for making it happen.
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) December 1, 2024
Kirstie Allsopp slams Wallace’s claim all complainants are ‘middle-class women of a certain age'
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:14
Athena Stavrou
Kirstie Allsopp said she was angered by a video the 60-year-old MasterChef presenter posted on Instagram, in which he claimed the complaints against him were coming from a “handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
The Location, Location, Location presenter added: “That is unacceptable. Because he is essentially saying this is a class issue and middle-class women don’t understand the type of things he says because he’s working-class. Well I’m sorry, but he’s doing a incredible disservice to men.
“What’s he saying? That working-class men do this kind of thing, embarrass their wives and girlfriends and sisters and mothers? That’s unacceptable, of course that’s not the case.
“I absolutely understand about banter. I’m a mother of sons – two stepsons, two sons. But there’s a huge difference between robust chat and the kind of comment Gregg Wallace made to me.”
Kirstie Allsopp ‘so embarrassed’ by Gregg Wallace sex remark
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:50
Athena Stavrou
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has said she was “so embarrassed” she thought she “might cry” after Gregg Wallace allegedly made a comment to her about his sex life.
Allsopp, 53, said the encounter took place several years
