BBC MasterChef's Gregg Wallace thanks fans for support amid misconduct complaints

MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has expressed his gratitude to his Instagram followers for "showing their support" after he revealed he would be stepping back from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations are investigated.

The 60-year-old is facing accusations of inappropriate sexual remarks from 13 individuals across various shows over a span of 17 years, as disclosed by BBC News, which stated it had sent a letter to the television personality's representatives earlier this week.

Among those lodging complaints with BBC News is former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, who claimed that he made jokes of a "sexualised nature" when she was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. In an Instagram post on Thursday evening, Wallace told his followers: "I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support.

"It’s good of you, thank you very much."

This post follows Wark's statement to the BBC that Wallace relayed stories and jokes of a "sexualised nature" on two occasions in front of contestants and crew, and she felt they were "really, really in the wrong place".

BBC News reported that it had been informed of other allegations, including the host "talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans". The TV star’s lawyers have responded stating "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", according to BBC News.

On Thursday, it emerged that Wallace has pledged to fully co-operate with an external review initiated by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK. A statement released confirmed: "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 under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating 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. If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence."

In addition, 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."

Gregg Wallace, widely recognised for co-hosting MasterChef with John Torode since 2005 and its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, will continue to appear on our screens as recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals are set to air as scheduled, with the next instalment expected on Thursday, according to PA news agency.

Wallace, who launched his television career as the original host of Saturday Kitchen back in 2002, has also been a familiar face on programmes such as Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest and Supermarket Secrets. His contributions to food and charity earned him an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022.

The TV chef's stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 saw him dancing alongside Aliona Vilani. Off-screen, Wallace has two children, Tom and Libby, from a previous relationship, and is married to Anne-Marie Sterpini, with whom he shares a son named Sid.

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