Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity, UK News
Rhianna Benson
A statement made by MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace last month is once again doing the rounds online after producers announced today (28 November) he would be stepping down from his role on MasterChef.
The TV star's resignation today comes after previous complaints were made during his time on a different show which he addressed in a statement last month, denying the claims.
Wallace, 60 - who has hosted BBC cooking competition MasterChef alongside John Torode for the last 19 years - was accused last month of having made inappropriate sexual remarks behind the scenes of the 2018 game show Impossible Celebrities.
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It was alleged that the father-of-three removed the top-half of his clothing, and in separate incidents, had bragged about the sexual encounters he'd enjoyed previously.
The broadcasting corporation launched an investigation into the household name, during which he was permitted to continue working on screen.
He had previously been accused of inappropriate behaviour on a separate 2023 series, allegedly having acting in a rude manner and accused of making insulting comments to women while appearing on Inside The Factory.
Wallace directly addressed these accusations in a statement made on Instagram in October, insisting there's no truth to rumours of sexual misconduct.
"The story that’s hitting the newspapers this morning was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC," he wrote online at the time.
"And the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual. I’ll need to repeat this again. I didn’t say anything sexual."
Today, it was announced that Wallace would be 'stepping away' from his culinary presenting role on MasterChef.
Production firm Banijay UK issued a statement explaining its decision.
"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."
The statement continues: "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.
"Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately."
It added: "If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact [email protected] in confidence."
A spokesperson for the BBC has also released a separate statement today addressing Wallace's departure from MasterChef, insisting that the company takes 'any issues that are raised' to bosses 'seriously', adding that it has 'robust processes in place to deal with them'.
The message went on to state: "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."