Gregg Wallace: What are the allegations and what has he said?

Published

3 months ago

December 2, 2024

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Gregg Wallace has stepped down from MasterChef over allegations he made inappropriate sexual comments on a range of programmes over 17 years.

The 60-year-old, who has been a co-presenter and judge of the popular cooking show since 2005, is currently being investigated by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK after complaints were made to the BBC last week.

But what exactly is Wallace accused of and what has he said in response?

What are the allegations?

Thirteen people have complained “in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with Gregg Wallace” on Banijay UK programmes, according to the company.

One of them is broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a celebrity contestant on MasterChef in 2011.

The Newsnight presenter told the BBC Wallace used “sexualised language” during filming.

“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if anyone engaged with this. It was completely one-way traffic,” Wark told BBC News.

“I think people were uncomfortable and [it was] something that I really didn’t expect to happen.

“I was actually more angry than anything else, because I thought it was so inappropriate. And in a sense what I thought was it was about power more than anything else, that he felt he could,” Wark added.

The other allegations span across multiple TV shows between 2005 and 2022, according to BBC News.

This investigation comes after a previous BBC review into reports of an alleged incident in 2018 when he appeared on Impossible Celebrities.

Reports about that review, which found he could continue working at the corporation, surfaced in October.

Wallace, who denied any wrongdoing, said those claims had been investigated “promptly” at the time and that he had not said “anything sexual” while appearing on the game show more than half a decade ago.

More allegations after investigation announced

The announcement of Banijay UK’s investigation and Wallace’s subsequent departure from MasterChef has triggered more allegations.

Sir Rod Stewart claimed on his Instagram story that Wallace “humiliated” his wife Penny Lancaster while she was on MasterChef but “had that bit cut” from the broadcast.

Author and actor Emma Kennedy, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2012, said she believes she saw Wallace touch the bottom of a young woman who was working as a photographer’s assistant.

“As she was bending over, Gregg in front of me went and put his hands over her buttocks and then turned to me and went, ‘Cor’, and then was laughing as if this was a great joke,” she told Ayesha Hazarika on Times Radio.

Kennedy said she didn’t think he was “a sexual predator” but confronted him over his “completely inappropriate” behaviour.

She said she reported the incident to an assistant producer, a producer and the head of PR at MasterChef at the time but didn’t get a formal response.

Presenter Kirstie Allsopp has claimed his behaviour was “totally unprofessional” when they filmed a TV pilot together, writing on social media: “Within 1 hour of meeting Gregg Wallace he told me of a sex act that he and his partner at the time enjoyed ‘every morning’. She’d just left the room, we were filming a pilot.”

TV director and producer Dawn Elrick told Sky News several female production staff complained to her about Wallace’s conduct.

She said women allege a pattern of behaviour that amounted to “bragging in a heightened sexual way” and using graphic language she describes as “lewd” and “quite filthy” – sometimes when cameras were still rolling.

Ms Elrick said she compiled the allegations in a letter to the BBC, who replied requesting more information and evidence.

But she said the response “kind of just missed the point” because, for production staff, coming forward is “very hard”.

Ms Elrick described the allegations against Wallace as “like one of these ‘open secrets'”. “I can’t see that they [the BBC] haven’t known about this for a while,” she added.

What has Wallace said about the latest allegations?

His legal team has said “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, in a statement to BBC News.

Sky News has contacted Wallace’s representative for comment.

Wallace avoided questions when asked by Sky News about the claims.

While Wallace has not directly addressed any of the allegations, he has reacted to them with a series of Instagram videos.

In his first one, which he posted on Thursday 28 November, he thanked people for their support, saying: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support. It’s good of you.

“Thank you very much.”

Then on Sunday 1 December, he posted a series of other videos, in which he said: “Now, I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years. Amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef and I think in that time, I have worked with more than 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life.

” And apparently, now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time. Now in the newspaper, I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.”

He added: “In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo? Can you imagine?”

He also said: “Do you know how many staff made a complaint about me in that time? Absolutely none. Zero. Seriously.”

He has now apologised for his initial response in another Instagram story, saying: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.

“I wasn’t in a good head space when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress a lot of emotion. I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it.

“It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope you accept this apology.”

What has Banijay UK said?

The company said Wallace was “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process” of its investigation.

“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 company said.

“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating 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.”

The company has also called for anyone wishing to report allegations of misconduct to contact Lewis Silkin, a legal firm appointed to lead an investigation.

What has the BBC said?

A BBC spokesperson said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. 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.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.”

Wallace allegations ‘the tip of the iceberg’

A former MasterChef contestant has told Sky News the Wallace allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg”, claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day.

The contestant, who has asked to remain anonymous, told Sky News’ arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer “abuse” of contestants was widespread through the “production team”, but he was too scared to speak out after signing a non-disclosure agreement.

“I was horrified,” he said.

“I’d never seen anything like it, genuinely, I was really quite shocked at that really toxic environment.

“What I witnessed… as a contestant was that there was a systemic problem that was larger than just him, in my view.

“Gregg… would occasionally crack jokes that in different ways felt inappropriate but he wasn’t the only one.”

The contestant said he was “not for one second wanting to let Gregg Wallace off the hook, but I don’t think it’s just him”.

“My concern is that he’s being totally scapegoated for a culture that… was more often than not about mocking. It was offensive.”

He added: “You know, I think it’s good that these things are coming out and I’m glad that people are speaking up, it’s brilliant. But I do think it’s the tip of the iceberg. I think if you were to really unravel and look at what was going on in that culture at large you’d see a lot more, you know, abuse.”

He claimed he heard a lot of profanity on set.

“I mean, there was effings and c**** and twats and all sorts and that that was the kind of language you kind of got used to, particularly from some of the camera crew, but also a couple of the producers too. He [Wallace] was the least sweary person,” he said.

“I think I got off pretty lightly, but I’d see the other contestants and just [be] thinking I would have been very upset if that person had that said that to me.”

He told Spencer it “certainly wasn’t everyone” and that some people on set were “incredibly respectful and very professional”.

He added: “It was all men… I don’t think I ever witnessed any of the women taking part in it. I think there was a kind of disconnection within the team at large… between some of the men and the women.”

Sky News has contacted Banijay and Wallace’s agent for comment about the latest allegations.

A BBC source said: “While we are not going to comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, particularly when there is an ongoing process in place being run by Banijay who have the direct contractual relationship with Gregg Wallace, it would be wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken.

“We continue to urge caution about pre-judging any of this, particularly the involvement of BBC staff members and any inference they have not acted appropriately.”

UK

Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Washington for talks with President Trump – and repeats calls for security guarantee for Ukraine

Published

1 hour ago

February 27, 2025

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Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Washington for talks with President Trump - and repeats calls for security guarantee for Ukraine

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer brushed aside growing tensions between the White House and Europe over Ukraine on Wednesday, saying he trusted Donald Trump and wanted the “special relationship” to go “from strength to strength”.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a crucial meeting at the White House, Sir Keir insisted that the UK was working “in lockstep” with the president on the matter of Ukraine.

Asked if he could trust President Trump in light of what has happened in recent weeks, the prime minister replied “yes”.

“I’ve got a good relationship with him,” Sir Keir said.

“As you know, I’ve met him, I’ve spoken to him on the phone, and this relationship between our two countries is a special relationship with a long history, forged as we fought wars together, as we traded together.

“And as I say, I want it to go from strength to strength.”

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The prime minister has now arrived in Washington, but even before he touched down, the choreography of the trip hit a little turbulence as President Trump appeared to pour cold water on the prospect of a US military backstop for Ukraine as part of any peace deal – a key UK and European demand.

“I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” Mr Trump said at his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“We’re going to have Europe do that because Europe is the next-door neighbour.”

His remarks seemed at odds with those made by the prime minister on the way to Washington as he reiterated how important a US military backstop was for Ukraine.

“We all want a peaceful outcome,” the prime minister said.

“It’s got to be a lasting peace, and that requires us to put in place an effective security guarantee.

“Exactly what the configuration of that is, exactly what the backstop is, is obviously the subject of intense discussion.”

He added: “But the reason I say the backstop is so important is that the security guarantee has to be sufficient to deter Putin from coming again because my concern is if there is a ceasefire without a backstop, it will simply give him the opportunity to wait and to come again because his ambition in relation to Ukraine is pretty obvious, I think, for all to see.”

While European allies such as the UK and France are preparing to put peacekeeping troops on the ground to police the Ukraine-Russian borders, leaders have been clear that US support is essential to containing President Putin and securing that support is the key purpose of the prime minister’s trip to Washington.

President Zelenskyy has also demanded that clear guarantees of US military backing and security be part of his deal with the US on critical minerals, but a framework agreed this week by both sides did not include an explicit reference to any such support.

Ahead of the trip to Washington, the prime minister pledged to increase UK defence spending – a key ask of all NATO members by President Trump – and reiterated his commitment to putting British boots on the ground in Ukraine as he attempts to lower tensions between Europe and the US and demonstrate to President Trump that the UK is willing to play its part.

“When it comes to defence and security, we have for decades acted as a bridge because of the special relationship we have with the US and also our allegiance to our European allies,” Sir Keir said.

“I’ve been absolutely resolute that we’re not going to choose between one side of the Atlantic and the other. We will work with the US, we will work with our European allies, that’s what we’ve done for decades, and it’s what we’ll do whilst I’m prime minister.”

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Sir Keir also gave the British public a “message of reassurance” after his decision to accelerate defence spending in the face of Russian aggression, saying he had done it to “ensure their safety” and increased investment would bring opportunities.

“I want to reassure the British public that what we’re doing is to ensure their safety, their security and defence of our country.

“I want to also be clear that this is an opportunity because, as we increase defence spending, then that gives an opportunity for our industrial strategy, for jobs across the UK, good well-paid jobs in defence.”

UK

Rania Alayed: Human remains found in search for body of murder victim

Published

4 hours ago

February 26, 2025

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Rania Alayed: Human remains found in search for body of murder victim

Police searching for the body of a murder victim have found human remains in North Yorkshire.

Mother of three Rania Alayed was murdered in 2013 by her husband Ahmed al Khatib, of Gorton, Manchester, who was jailed for life the following year.

Her body was never recovered and multiple searches have taken place in the years since then, said Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

On Tuesday, after receiving new information, GMP officers located buried human remains by the A19 in Thirsk.

The force said in a statement: “While no official identification has taken place, we strongly suspect the remains are that of Rania.

“Her family have been informed of the latest development and are being supported by specially trained officers. They remain at the forefront of our minds.”

Ms Alayed’s son, Yazan, speaking on behalf of their family, said: “The discovery of my mother’s remains more than a decade onwards has come as a surreal surprise to me and my family.

“At last, being able to provide a final resting place is all we have wanted for the last 11 years, to have the ability to lay down a few flowers for my mother is more than I can ask for from this world.”

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson, from GMP’s major incident team, said Ms Alayed’s murder was “utterly horrific” and not knowing where her body was had caused further pain to those who knew her.

“More than a decade after her murder, we now strongly believe we have located Rania’s body and are finally able to provide closure to her family, who we know have endured so much pain and grief over the years.

“Rania’s family have always been kept informed following our searches over the last few years, and we are providing them updates as we get them following this most recent development,” he said.

During Mr al Khatib’s trial, a court heard how Ms Alayed was born in Syria and met her husband when she was 15.

The couple fled the Middle East, eventually moving to England.

They had three children but eventually Ms Alayed left the unhappy marriage which had been marred by violence from her husband, the trial heard.

UK

Seven companies named and shamed in Grenfell Inquiry face being placed on blacklist

Published

10 hours ago

February 26, 2025

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Seven companies named and shamed in Grenfell Inquiry face being placed on blacklist

Seven companies named and shamed in the Grenfell Inquiry are to be investigated and face being placed on a blacklist.

Following the deaths of 72 people in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has given the government’s response to the inquiry, published in September after seven years.

The government has accepted the findings of the report, which found “systematic dishonesty” contributed to the devastating fire and there were years of missed opportunities to prevent the catastrophe.

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Seven organisations criticised in the report will now be investigated under the Procurement Act, Ms Rayner said.

If they are determined to have “engaged in professional misconduct” their names will be added to a “debarment list”, which all contracting authorities will have to take into account when awarding new contracts.

Arconic, Saint-Gobain (the former owner of Celotex), Exova, Harley Facades, Kingspan Insulation, Rydon Maintenance and Studio E Architects will all be investigated.

Cabinet Office parliamentary secretary Georgia Gould said the organisations will be notified when an investigation is opened, and warned investigations into other organisations could take place.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said companies named and shamed in the report “should be barred from future contracts” and “this must now finally happen without further delay”.

Ms Rayner, who is also the housing secretary, said the government “accepts the findings” of the inquiry and it will “prioritise residents and protect their interests, and make sure that industry builds safe homes, and provide clearer accountability and enforcement”.

She apologised again to the families and friends of those who died, survivors and those who live around the tower.

“To have anyone anywhere living in an unsafe home is one person too many,” she told the House of Commons.

“That will be our guiding principle and must be that of anyone who wants to build or care for our homes. That will be an important part of the legacy of Grenfell.”

More training for social housing tenants

She announced “stronger protections” for social housing tenants, giving them more power to challenge landlords and demand safe, high-quality housing.

The “Four Million Homes” training will be expanded – a government-funded initiative that provides guidance and training for social housing tenants.

However, the National Housing Federation (NHF), which represents about 800 housing associations, said it missed the point as it said social housing tenants cannot access government funding to remove dangerous cladding – and manufacturers of unsafe materials have not contributed to the costs.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the NHF, told Sky News: “The money to fund this work is coming from people on the lowest incomes in this country, and to make matters worse, means fewer homes will be built for those in dire situations on housing waiting lists, living in overcrowded homes and stuck in temporary accommodation.

“The government must put an end to this unfair funding regime and give social housing providers and their residents equal access to building safety funding.”

Ms Rayner also announced:

• A new single construction regulator so those responsible for building safety are held to account

• Tougher oversight of testing and certifying, manufacturing and using construction products – with “serious consequences” for those who break the rules

• A legal duty of candour through a “new Hillsborough Law”, so public authorities must disclose the truth

• Stronger, clearer and enforceable legal rights for residents so landlords are responsible for acting on safety concerns

• A publicly accessible record of all public inquiry recommendations

Polly Neate, chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, said it is “right” the government has committed to take forward all the inquiry’s recommendations but said it needs to boost funding for legal aid so people can actually enforce their rights as tenants.

Earlier this month, the government announced the tower, which has stood covered in scaffolding since the fire nearly eight years ago, will be “carefully” demolished in a process likely to take two years.