Penny Lancaster 'to go to authorities' over Gregg Wallace MasterChef 'misconduct'

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Penny Lancaster is prepared to go to 'authorities' to reveal what happened during scenes that were axed on Celebrity Masterchef alongside Gregg Wallace.

Wallace, the star of BBC cook-off show MasterChef has stepped away from his duties after nearly 20 years presenting amid allegations of historic misconducted. A wave of claimants have come forward including Ulrika Jonsson, Rod Stewart, Charlotte Crosby and model Penny.

Complaints have been made against Wallace by people who claim they previously worked with him. Amongst accusations are claims Wallace has made inappropriate sexual comments. The 60-year-old has denied those accusations.

It emerged this week that the BBC launched a probe into the misconduct claims with Wallace.

Following the news, Sir Rod referred to Wallace as a "tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully." He wrote: "So Greg Wallace gets fired from Masterchef. Good riddance Wallace…You humiliated my wife when she was on the show but you had that bit cut out didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart."

A clip of Rod's wife and Loose Women star Penny on the cooking show has now resurfaced, where she was left embarrassed over her fried calamari and tartare sauce. Penny beamed with confidence as she made her dish and remarked: "I'm doing surprisingly well compared to what I imagined how I'd be doing. I don't want to slip up now."

However, when it came to tasting her dish things quickly went wrong. As she plated up, Penny said: "That tartare sauce doesn't look like the tartare sauce I'd normally have." Gregg told her: "You used whole eggs instead of egg yolks." Judge John Torode added: "What I've got in here is a raw egg/oil milkshake. Unfortunately, I can't eat that."

Later in the episode, Penny was able to move on from her mistake as she was praised for her chicken and coconut curry, green papaya chutney, grated apple, turnip and carrot salad as well as the coconut rice. Gregg told her: "I found myself going from bowl to bowl to bowl and finding it difficult to stop, you have had what we call in the industry a very good day."

However, things took a turn again when chaos ensued in the kitchen during the episode she was eliminated in. Penny was struggling with her timings as Gregg quipped: "Mate, we can’t be 10 minutes late." He then branded her delay 'serious' before she broke into tears.

Now, a spokesperson for Penny has revealed that she is prepared to go to the authorities. Speaking to Mail Online, they said: "While Penny is happy to talk to the appropriate authorities should they feel she has anything useful to add, she will not be discussing the matter with any broadcaster or newspaper at this time."

On Thursday evening, Wallace posted a short video to his Instagram grid to thank his fans for reaching out with words of support for him amid the allegations. "I would like to thank all the people for getting in touch, reaching out, and sharing their support. That's good of you. Thank you very much," he said in the short clip.

After Gregg's post, MasterChef star Monica Galetti shared her support for the TV star. New Zealand-based chef Monica, who acts as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals, appeared to share her sympathies with Wallace when she liked his Instagram post on Thursday night.

It comes as Wallace, 60, is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process” during the BBC's investigation process, a statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK to the PA news agency said.

The statement 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.

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“While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating 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."

It continued: "Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately."

The BBC has said it takes any issues that are raised with it “seriously” after it was announced Wallace will step away from his role on MasterChef while complaints made to the corporation from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.

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.”

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