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Rebel Wilson claims she felt as if Sacha Baron Cohen “sexually harassed” her on the set of the film Grimsby, and believes he “gets off on making people feel uncomfortable”.

The Australian actress made the allegations about the British comedy star in her memoir, Rebel Rising, which was released in the US yesterday.

A representative for Baron Cohen describes her claims as “demonstrably false”, in a statement given to the PA news agency.

Rebel Wilson poses for photographers upon arrival at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, during the 76th Cannes international film festival, Cap d'Antibes, southern France, Thursday, May 25, 2023. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
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Wilson has made the allegations in her new memoir. Pic: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP 2023

Wilson, 44, starred alongside Baron Cohen, 52, in the 2016 spy action comedy Grimsby, known as The Brothers Grimsby in the US, playing his on-screen girlfriend.

Best known for films including Bridesmaids, Jojo Rabbit and the Pitch Perfect series, Wilson says she is not aiming to cancel the Ali G and Borat star, but wants to share her alleged experiences as “the more women talk about things like this, hopefully the less it happens”.

Wilson claims she felt that every time she talked to Baron Cohen during filming in South Africa, “he’d mention that he wanted me to go naked in a future scene”, which she says was in “no way essential” to the plot.

She accuses him of giving “gross directions” and says it appeared as if he “wanted me to look and feel awful”, allegedly making her change into smaller clothes “where you could see as much cellulite as possible”.

Sacha Baron Cohen attends a screening of the Oscars in Sydney, Australia. Pic: AP/Rick Rycroft
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Baron Cohen, pictured at an Oscars screening in 2021, has denied the allegations. Pic: AP/Rick Rycroft


Wilson also details a particular alleged incident on set, claiming she was “lured” out of her trailer into an unfurnished concrete room with a mattress on the floor, with the only people in the room being Baron Cohen “and his mates”.

She alleges that Baron Cohen pulled down his trousers as his friends recorded on their phones, telling her: “Okay, now I want you to stick your finger up my ass”, for a scene that he said would be in the film.

Wilson, who says she was “scared”, claims there was no director or film crew around, and adds: “It’s my opinion that Sacha Baron Cohen gets off on making people feel uncomfortable.”

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A representative for Baron Cohen told the PA news agency: “While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby.”

Baron Cohen’s wife Isla Fisher also appears in the film, alongside Mark Strong, Penelope Cruz, Ricky Tomlinson and Johnny Vegas.

Wilson says she did not want to be labelled a “troublemaker” at the time, but shared a version of her claim on social media during the #MeToo movement in 2017, without naming Baron Cohen.

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Elsewhere in her memoir, Wilson describes other comedy actors such as Ben Stiller as a “total gentleman” on Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb, and says Will Ferrell “could not have been lovelier” when producing Bachelorette.

She also lists “lovely” encounters with Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Bob Saget, Robin Williams and Garry Shandling.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Baron Cohen for comment.

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter upheld, including one of unwanted physical contact

An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.

MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.

The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.

The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.

There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.

While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.

One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.

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Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.

Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
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Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014

Ahead of the publication of the summary, Wallace had said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.

Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.

The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.

Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
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Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024

While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.

While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.

Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.

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Man arrested for alleged sexual assault ‘on set of EastEnders’

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Man arrested for alleged sexual assault 'on set of EastEnders'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault – which reportedly took place on the set of EastEnders.

The alleged incident happened on the set of the BBC soap at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, according to The Sun newspaper.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man in his 50s was arrested after the report in Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood, on 7 May.

The man is accused of sexual assault and common assault in relation to two victims, the force said.

The suspect is on bail while inquiries continue, police added.

EastEnders said in a statement: “While we would never comment on individuals, EastEnders has on-site security and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the safety and welfare of everyone who works on the show.”

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BST Hyde Park’s final day cancelled as Jeff Lynne’s ELO pulls out of headline slot

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BST Hyde Park's final day cancelled as Jeff Lynne's ELO pulls out of headline slot

BST Hyde Park festival has cancelled its final night after Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra pulled out of the headline slot.

Lynne, 77, was due to play alongside his band on Sunday but has been forced to withdraw from the event following a “systemic infection”.

The London show was supposed to be a “final goodbye” from ELO following their farewell US tour.

Organisers said on Saturday that Lynne was “heartbroken” at being unable to perform.

A statement read: “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.

“The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today – and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”

They later confirmed the whole of Sunday’s event would be cancelled.

“Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details,” another statement said.

Stevie Wonder played the festival on Saturday – now its final event of 2025.

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US rock band The Doobie Brothers and blues rock singer Steve Winwood were among those who had been due to perform to before ELO’s headline performance.

The cancellation comes after the band, best known for their hit Mr Blue Sky, pulled out of a performance due to take place at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on Thursday.

ELO was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne, multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan.

They first split in 1986, before frontman Lynne resurrected the band in 2014.

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