Gregg Wallace says 'I'm not a sex pest' as he slams 'horrific' reaction to his BBC axe

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Axed MasterChef star Gregg Wallace has spoken out following his dismissal from the BBC, accusations of inappropriate behaviour, including claims of being a 'groper, flasher, and a sex pest'
Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has spoken out following his exit from the BBC, insisting he has been misrepresented and unfairly compared to serious sex offenders.
In an emotional interview, Wallace, 60, said: 'I'm not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher.' Though acknowledging some past comments were inappropriate, he made clear he is not trying to seek sympathy: 'I'm not looking to play the victim.'
Wallace was removed from MasterChef after an independent investigation upheld 45 of 83 complaints against him, made by 41 individuals.
Addressing the claims, he told The Sun: "I'm not a groper. People think I've been taking my trousers down and exposing myself, I am not a flasher. People think I'm a sex pest. I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment.
'I have seen myself written about in the same sentence as Jimmy Savile and Huw Edwards, paedophiles and sex offenders. That is just so, so horrific.'
Another upheld allegation dates back 15 years and involves Wallace touching a woman at a party. He admits to placing his hand on her bottom but insists he believed the moment was consensual.
According to him, the woman had shared personal details about her life and given him her phone number, which he interpreted as a sign of mutual interest. Wallace maintains that, even in the official report, it was acknowledged that he viewed the interaction as consensual.
One of the upheld allegations relates to an incident from 18 years ago, when Wallace briefly emerged from his dressing room wearing only a sock over his genitals. He explained that the studio was closed at the time, with no contestants present, and that only a few colleagues whom he considered friends were nearby.
According to Wallace, the act was intended as a joke, and those who witnessed it were either amused or unfazed. He maintains that no one was distressed by the moment.
Wallace further described the context of the sock incident, claiming that just outside his dressing room sat four colleagues from the show, including Monica Galetti. 'I was getting changed to go to a black tie event, a charity event,' he said.
'I put my bow tie on and my shirt. It's only them outside the door. I put the sock on, opened the door, went, 'Wahey!' and shut the door again.' He added that those present were either amused or confused, insisting: 'Nobody was distressed.'
The axed MasterChef judge also addressed more claims, particularly one from a woman identified by the BBC as Alice, who accused him of exposing himself. 'That really damaged me,' he said angrily. 'In the investigation, it says this person's story is simply not credible.'
Wallace claimed that he often changed clothes in front of others and wasn't shy about revealing his torso.
He also acknowledged that much of the upheld criticism centred around his use of sexualised or inappropriate remarks, which he fully accepts. However, he attributes that behaviour to his upbringing.
Reflecting on the experience, Wallace admitted to using inappropriate language and said: 'I have learnt a lot about myself over the past eight months or so... I understand now and to anyone I have hurt, I am so sorry.'
'I don't expect anyone to have any sympathy with me but I don't think I am a wrong 'un.'