Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace ‘deeply sorry' after historical allegations of misconduct
In a statement he said: "For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
BBC's witch-hunt against talent is getting ever more extreme – John Torode doesn't deserve to go down like Gregg Wallace
GREGG Wallace had pledged in his damning statement there would be 'more casualties' from the BBC's hapless handling of the investigation into him. If the BBC has its way then John Torode will be the next. 2 John Torode does not deserve to go down like Gregg Wallace Credit: Alamy 2 John married ex-Celebrity MasterChef contestant Lisa Faulkner Credit: Getty - Contributor Which beggars the question, where the hell does this all end? In its desperate efforts to save its mighty cash cow, MasterChef, from cancellation, the Gregg's behaviour, by his own admission, was unacceptable. But poor John is now being hauled down with him. READ MORE ON GREGG WALLACE His mistake? Telling a story, that he cannot remember telling, in a bar seven or eight years ago, and using an offensive term. As soon as he was informed the term was racist, No complaint was made. Nobody actually knows when it happened. Or if it happened. Most read in News TV Certainly John doesn't believe it happened. Now, so desperate to clean up its house, or indeed kitchen, is Auntie, that she is asking John to jump before he is pushed. 'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS Incredibly, they suggested he How, in this day and age, was this allowed to happen? Quite rightly, John refused. Putting matters of ethics to one side, the BBC's witch-hunt against its talent is becoming ever more extreme. To be clear, Gregg should have gone — but if this isolated incident is his only offence, John does not deserve to go down too. At this rate, there will be no-one left to present its shows. What were the main findings of the report? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
MasterChef star John Torode's explosive statement in full after being ‘asked to resign over racist remark'
MASTERCHEF host John Torode has released an explosive statement responding to allegations he made a racist remark. The Australian chef, 59, has been 4 John Torode has responded to claims that he used racist language while working alongside Gregg Wallace on Masterchef Credit: PA 4 The Australian chef, 59, said he had no recollection of using racist language Credit: Rex Features 4 Gregg Wallace is facing dozens of complaints over his conduct while working for the BBC Credit: Getty The TV chef was cited - but not named - in the dating back over eight years. He allegedly made a racist remark during a private conversation - something John denies having any recollection of ever taking place. Shockingly, the BBC and production company Banijay asked John to resign last week - and claim he had mental health problems. He refused and has now issued a statement to The Sun confirming he was investigated over the alleged remarks. read more in Gregg Wallace John told how he intended to cause no offence to the person he was talking to and apologised immediately after the alleged incident at the time. He has now come out and said: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime between 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. Most read in News TV 'I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. 'However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' Last night a source close to the chef added: 'John is absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star. 'As Gregg has pointed out broadcasting is becoming a dangerous place especially when there is no concrete evidence. 'If the BBC let him go for this, where will it all end? There will soon be no-one left on telly.' It follows a series of serious complaints being made about co-star and close friend Gregg Wallace. In a bombshell report, 45 of 83 complaints about the TV star's bad behaviour had been upheld - leading to his sacking last week. One included unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress. The under-fire host, 60, yesterday apologised, saying he 'never set out to harm or humiliate'. In total, the report says 83 allegations were made against Wallace, with the majority of the substantiated claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive or racist comments. The inquiry, conducted by an independent law firm, was ordered by Banijay in the wake of a BBC News investigation which first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments against Wallace. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'welcomed' the BBC cutting ties with Gregg Wallace and demanded action to end future 'abuses of power'. The PM's spokesman said he still has 'confidence' in the Corporation but that it must take steps to 'ensure the public retains trust'. The BBC has now also admitted the Wallace is said to feature in the 20 episodes yet to be released. Grace Dent is now The food critic, 51, is understood to have been asked to start filming for MasterChef UK alongside chef Torode at the end of the summer. It is unclear how the recent report and claims from the Aussie chef may change the BBC's scheduling. What did the report find? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024 4 The pair hosted Masterchef together for almost two decades Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
MasterChef presenter John Torode subject of racist language allegation in report
MasterChef presenter John Torode has confirmed he is the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review into the behaviour of co-presenter Gregg Wallace. The report, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay and led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language. In a post on Instagram, Torode confirmed he was the person alleged to have used racist language but said he had "no recollection of the incident" and was "shocked and saddened" by the allegation. His statement said: "Following publication of the Executive Summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. "For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. "I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence."
