Gregg Wallace sacked as MasterChef presenter, says BBC News
There have been fresh claims about the TV presenter from 50 more people to the corporation including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker and pulled his trousers down in front of another, BBC News said.
A university student has claimed he reached under her skirt and pinched her bottom in a nightclub, and a junior worker alleged he dropped his trousers in front of her while he was not wearing any underwear.
Gregg Wallace co-presented MasterChef until last year (Ian West/PA)
Production firm Banijay previously said Wallace is 'committed to fully co-operating' with the external review while his lawyers have previously strongly denied 'he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature', according to BBC News.
Some of the more recent claims include a MasterChef worker who said she tried to complain about comments she alleged he made about her body in 2022, and a former policeman who said he tried to raise concerns after he allegedly witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments at a charity event in 2023.
BBC News reported the majority of the 50 people had said he made inappropriate sexual comments, with 11 women accusing him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching.
BBC News also said it has not seen the final Banijay report but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.
Earlier on Tuesday, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him ahead of the report examining his alleged misconduct.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account, he said: 'I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established.
'The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.'
He also said he recognises that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
Wallace started out as a greengrocer before he shot to fame fronting BBC shows including Inside The Factory, Supermarket Secrets, as well as MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
The most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals continued to air last year amid allegations against Wallace, but two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials were pulled from the BBC's schedule in December 2024.
At the time, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she would look to impose new standards in the creative industry amid the allegations.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace.
'We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.'
Banijay UK declined to comment on Wallace's comments.
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Gregg Wallace sacked as MasterChef presenter, says BBC News
The 60-year-old had stepped away from hosting the BBC cooking competition last year after a number of historical complaints came to light. There have been fresh claims about the TV presenter from 50 more people to the corporation including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker and pulled his trousers down in front of another, BBC News said. A university student has claimed he reached under her skirt and pinched her bottom in a nightclub, and a junior worker alleged he dropped his trousers in front of her while he was not wearing any underwear. Production firm Banijay previously said Wallace is 'committed to fully co-operating' with the external review while his lawyers have previously strongly denied 'he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature', according to BBC News. Some of the more recent claims include a MasterChef worker who said she tried to complain about comments she alleged he made about her body in 2022, and a former policeman who said he tried to raise concerns after he allegedly witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments at a charity event in 2023. BBC News reported the majority of the 50 people had said he made inappropriate sexual comments, with 11 women accusing him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching. BBC News also said it has not seen the final Banijay report but it is understood the presenter has been sacked. Earlier on Tuesday, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him ahead of the report examining his alleged misconduct. In a statement posted on his Instagram account, he said: 'I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. 'The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.' He also said he recognises that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this. Wallace started out as a greengrocer before he shot to fame fronting BBC shows including Inside The Factory, Supermarket Secrets, as well as MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals. The most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals continued to air last year amid allegations against Wallace, but two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials were pulled from the BBC's schedule in December 2024. At the time, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she would look to impose new standards in the creative industry amid the allegations. A BBC spokesperson said: 'Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. 'We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.' Banijay UK declined to comment on Wallace's comments.
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