BBC Radio 1's Greg James hits back at MasterChef's Gregg Wallace after misconduct claims

BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Greg James has expressed his views on MasterChef star Gregg Wallace, following recent changes to his radio programme. Wallace, 60, recently announced his departure from the popular BBC cooking show amidst an external investigation into misconduct allegations against him.

Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark is among the 13 individuals accusing the star of making inappropriate sexual remarks. According to Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, the broadcaster is "committed to fully cooperating through the process."

Despite the accusations, Wallace maintains his innocence.

In a social media video posted on Sunday, he claimed that the allegations came from a "handful of middle-class women of certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn't right."

While Wallace insists he's done nothing wrong, industry colleagues, including former co-star John Torode, have subtly indicated their stance. James, 38, is one of the latest to signal his position against Wallace by altering the introduction to his Breakfast Show, reports the Mirror.

Instead of the usual soundbite of Wallace saying: "Fire 'em up, let's go" to kick off his radio slot, it was revealed over the weekend that he had replaced the clip with something different. Using a brief snippet from Daniel Craig's skit on Saturday Night Live, the show now begins with the James Bond actor stating: "Ladies and gentlemen, the weekend."

James has remained largely silent over the scandal, save for a cryptic soundbite revision. Ulrika Jonsson was left fuming after Wallace debuted an Instagram clip wherein he claimed his critics are "middle-class women of a certain age".

Following this, Jonsson, who previously criticised Wallace for an alleged inappropriate joke directed at a shaken MasterChef contestant, did not mince her words. The television host remarked: "Somewhere in his misogynistic, thoughtless, ancient mind, he felt it appropriate to tell the world this. Oh, Gregg. Your ignorance and arrogance knows no bounds. Firstly, you have no clue what 'class' of women it is that have made complaints about you."

She went on to say that his mention of "women of a certain age" struck a particular chord, pointing out how Generation X women grew up enduring "sexist, misogynistic, crude and sleazy ­comments and physical contact" throughout their careers. Wallace then shared a fresh video on his social channels yesterday, expressing remorse for his "middle-class women" statement and admitting: "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 confessed: "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."

Since the announcement of his departure from MasterChef last week, Wallace has faced numerous allegations. These include claims of inappropriate sexual language on set and suggestions of previous instances where he groped women and used racist language.

Wallace has refuted these accusations.