Gregg Wallace accused of telling TV chef she 'couldn't be a real chef'

Gregg Wallace has been accused of telling a top female cook that she was not a 'real chef' because she was a woman. 

Gizzi Erskine, who is the daughter of the late 2nd Baron Erskine of Rerrick, claimed she got into a 'huge argument' with the MasterChef star after he said she and Sophie Michell would not make it in the culinary world 'because we were women'.

The 45 year old claimed that she has had some 'grimy' experiences with celebrity chefs and remarked that it is 'interesting' to see what is happening with Wallace, 60.

The writer, who presented Channel 4's cookery show Cook Yourself Thin, told the Go To Food podcast that the men she has worked with in the hospitality sector have 'generally' been 'chivalrous'.

But she also admitted having some 'grimy experiences with some grimy celebrity chefs', but refused to mention any names.  

The author continued: 'It's really interesting seeing what's going on with Gregg Wallace, because me and him had a huge argument. He told me and Sophie Michell that we weren't real chefs, and we couldn't possibly be because we were women.

'It might have been through direct messages. Something started, so we jumped in and then it all went really aggy. There is an insidious side to that side of it. I definitely get treated differently to the men in the room. There is no doubt about it.'

Wallace has been hit by an onslaught of sexual harassment claims from several women which include groping, pressing his crotch against a colleague and allegedly flashing another woman in his dressing room. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Wallace stepped down from hosting MasterChef last month, after almost 20 years, while an investigation into his alleged behaviour is carried out. 

The BBC One show’s production firm Banijay UK launched an inquiry last month into the complaints. 

The presenter is reported to understand his position on MasterChef is no longer tenable and has told people, ‘I’m f***ed’.

A source told the Sun: ‘He came out swinging, but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside.

‘The BBC and Banijay UK have now spoken to a number of different individuals, and they know they must be seen to take action.’

The source added that Wallace 'never meant to cause any offence' and insisted any jokes made were just jokes. 

It was announced last week that the BBC would be pulling its planned two MasterChef Christmas specials amid the allegations of misconduct. 

The specials featured celebrities including The Wanted singer Max George, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, reality star Luca Bish and comedian Shazia Mira.

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The second, called MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, was due to feature Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse setting a challenge.

Channel 5 has also pulled planned repeats of Gregg Wallace’s Copenhagen Christmas Market and Gregg Wallace's Lapland Christmas Adventure from its festive schedule.

Allegations were raised by staff members about Wallace's behaviour on Channel 5' s Gregg Wallace's Big Weekends during a BBC News investigation, with producer Rumpus Media saying was investigating allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'.

One woman said that while making Gregg Wallace's Big Weekends in 2019, he became 'fascinated' by her relationships with women and wanted to know the 'logistics' of her sex life.

Another woman said that while working on the Channel 5 programme at the same time, Wallace's conversation often revolved around sex, including spanking and domination.

A third woman who worked on the show, who BBC News called Amanda, said Wallace allegedly showed her photos of a woman in her underwear while they were travelling in a car together.

She also recalled how he allegedly took off his top and said 'let me give you a fashion show' in front of her and a male colleague when trying on outfits in his hotel room after filming had wrapped for the day.

Her colleague then left the room and she told BBC News: 'It's weird to be alone in a room with a topless stranger.'

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Another person who worked with him on Channel 5 travel show, claimed that he treated women dismissively. 

Wallace allegedly offended certain female staff members at the Nestlé UK factory in York with comments about their weight during a 'friendly' conversation.

The comments were non-sexual but were deemed 'inappropriate' and a complaint was lodged with Voltage TV, the production company responsible for developing the show.

'He was rude towards staff and continued to talk in a derogatory manner, especially to women.

'He was given a talking-to and was appalled that he had caused such offence,' a source said.

Voltage TV asked Wallace to moderate his language and filming continued - but his behaviour seemingly didn't change.

Staff reportedly informed management that they did not want the show to return while Wallace remained at the helm.

Melanie Sykes said Wallace was the reason she left her TV career behind, while Vanessa Feltz alleged he had told a lewd sex story about his wife in a BBC lift.

Sykes said she made an informal complaint against Wallace, and claimed she found conduct on the MasterChef set 'jaw-dropping'.

And broadcaster Vanessa Feltz claimed he had described a sex act he had performed on his wife while in a BBC lift with her friend.

It follows ongoing backlash after Wallace took to Instagram with a furious rant in which he accused the allegations of being made by a handful of 'middle-class women of a certain age'.

Wallace issued an apology for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his statement, saying: '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 added: '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.'

His apology came after it sparked a backlash, with Downing Street saying his response to the accusations was 'inappropriate and misogynistic'.

MailOnline has contacted Gregg Wallace's representatives for comment.