MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace faces new allegations of inappropriate behaviour and touching, says BBC

MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace is facing new allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour and touching, the BBC has said.

Wallace, 60, stepped down from the popular cooking show last week. He faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News on Thursday, with many others since sharing their experiences.

The presenter apologised on Monday for claiming complaints about his behaviour came from 'a handful of middle-class women of a certain age', adding he will now 'take some time out'.

READ MORE BBC pulls MasterChef Christmas shows from TV schedule after Gregg Wallace allegations

The latest allegations come after the BBC announced two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the schedule after Gregg Wallace stepped away from hosting the cooking show.

According to the BBC, one woman has claimed Wallace touched her bottom at an event. Another says he pressed his crotch against her while filming on a different show.

The broadcaster, who put the allegations to Wallace's representatives over the weekend, say his 'lawyers have strongly denied he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.'

A BBC News investigation heard from 13 people who are said to have worked across five different programmes, who made allegations of inappropriate sexual comments. Production company Banijay UK said it has launched an investigation.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Monday, when asked if the cookery show should be pulled off air, that the decision was for the BBC and the show’s production company and reiterated that Downing Street believes it is 'right' that a thorough investigation is conducted.

Downing Street also said that the TV star’s response to the accusations being made against him was 'inappropriate and misogynistic' and confirmed that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.

In a video posted on Instagram, Wallace said on Monday: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.

“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.

“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.”

Wallace’s lawyers were previously quoted by BBC News as saying “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.