MasterChef host Gregg Wallace 'won't appear on TV again' says former BBC producer

John Mair, a former BBC producer, made an appearance on Friday's GB News Breakfast to discuss Gregg Wallace's temporary departure from MasterChef amid pending historical misconduct complaints' external investigation.

In response to presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello enquiring if this could spell the demise of Gregg's television career, Mair said: "I would have thought so. He won't appear on screen again. This is his Frank Bough moment, isn't it?"

Frank Bough, who once led Breakfast and BBC Sports as one of the corporation's top presenters, lost his job in 1988 after becoming embroiled in scandals involving drugs and sex parties.

Mair expressed some sympathy for Wallace while pointing out what he perceives as a contemporary trend: "There is a movement now that anybody who talks out of turn gets pulled off air."

He remarked, "The BBC has been very unlucky; they have lost four presenters involuntarily in the last two months and two of them voluntarily. But, is the BBC being over cautious and as soon as there is a whiff of smoke, the BBC retreats and says, 'take them off air'," reports the Express.

Mair stressed the need for presenters with strong personalities: "Presenters have to have a certain personality, a certain ego. You don't want bland presenters, do you? So sometimes their ego gets the better of them."

Wallace, 60, is currently facing claims of making inappropriate sexual comments by 13 individuals from various shows over a span of 17 years. BBC News has reportedly approached the television presenter's representatives, sending them a letter earlier in the week.

Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark is among those who have lodged complaints with BBC News, claiming that during her stint on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, she was subjected to jokes of a "sexualised nature" by the host.

John remarked: "This story has got a lot of oxygen from Kirsty Wark who is well-respected and did a short, sharp, interview about it."

He added: "So, there is obviously a lot of truth to it. But if you hire a barrow boy, what do you expect? Do you expect a barrow boy not to be a barrow boy?"

Wark reported to the BBC that Wallace had twice made comments and jokes of a "sexualised nature" while on set, which she felt were "really, really in the wrong place".

BBC News has also been informed of further allegations against the presenter, including him "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 television personality's legal representatives have stated, as per BBC News, "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature".

Gregg Wallace broke his silence with an Instagram update on Thursday evening, expressing gratitude to his supporters: "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."

Earlier that same Thursday, it was disclosed that Wallace has pledged to "committed to fully co-operating" with an independent investigation being conducted by MasterChef's production company, Banijay UK.

A statement from the BBC read: "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."

It was also stated that "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."

Additionally, the statement underscored Banijay UK's standards, highlighting: "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."

Furthermore, the statement invited further communication by adding: "If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakupbanijayuk.com in confidence."

In addition to the statement, a spokesperson for the BBC remarked: "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."

Wallace is famous for co-hosting MasterChef with John Torode since 2005, including its offshoots Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, remains a familiar face on our screens.

The episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals that feature Wallace have been pre-recorded and will air according to schedule, understands PA news agency.

GB News Breakfast is on the free to air channel weekdays at 6am