Gregg Wallace, the 60-year-old presenter of MasterChef, has been accused by multiple women of making sexualised jokes and inappropriate remarks over a period of nearly two decades. The allegations, which have emerged over the past four days, date back as far as 19 years. Wallace announced last week that he was stepping back from the BBC show amid an investigation into his conduct. His lawyers have denied that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
Among the first to come forward was broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who told BBC News that Wallace told 'sexualised' jokes during filming of Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. Wark said she raised the issue with a production executive at the time, but the response was that it was 'almost as if it was some kind of affliction'. She was one of 13 people making allegations over a 17-year period, according to BBC News.
Other allegations include Wallace talking openly about his sex life, removing his top in front of a female worker, and telling a junior colleague he was not wearing boxer shorts. A former contestant, Dr Kate Tomas, alleged on TikTok that Wallace sexually harassed her in 2008 and impersonated an Indian accent in front of a staff member. Presenter Kirstie Allsopp also accused Wallace of referring to a sex act shortly after meeting her during a pilot filming, stating on X that it was 'totally unprofessional'.
Actor and author Emma Kennedy said she complained about Wallace in 2012 after he allegedly touched a female assistant's bottom. She said production staff were aware of his behaviour, adding that 'it wasn't the act of a sexual predator; it was the act of somebody who just doesn't get that that stuff is inappropriate'. Wallace has claimed his accusers are 'middle-class women of a certain age' and that no staff on his other shows had complained.
