Gregg Wallace faces new claims of ‘groping’ as BBC pulls MasterChef Christmas specials

Two women have claimed Gregg Wallace inappropriately touched them – as yet more allegations surface against the MasterChef presenter.

It comes as the BBC said it was pulling the MasterChef Christmas specials due to “current circumstances”.

Wallace, 60, now faces claims from more than a dozen people across a range of shows over a 17-year period.

He has temporarily stepped down from the cooking show while the complaints are externally reviewed.

Wallace’s lawyers say “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

On Tuesday, the BBC reported claims Wallace touched and “groped” a woman’s bottom, while another alleged he laughed after touching her bottom “with his waist and penis” when brushing past her.

A third woman said Wallace’s penis was partially exposed in his dressing room in what she felt was a “power play”.

The Guardian also reported a complaint that Wallace had asked a sign language interpreter to translate “big boobs” and “sexy bum” in front of the audience at the BBC Good Food Show.

Sky News has contacted the BBC and Wallace’s representatives for comment on the latest claims.

Celebrity MasterChef Cook Off and a MasterChef Strictly Festive Extravaganza had previously been listed as part of the BBC’s Christmas schedule.

However, a spokesperson said they would not now be shown.

“As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned,” the BBC spokesperson said.

“The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”

Among those set to appear were actress Amy Walsh, comedian Shazia Mirza, reality star Luca Bish, and The Wanted singer Max George.

The Strictly special was to include dancers Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.

However, the latest series of MasterChef: The Professionals is still being shown.

An increasing number of people have accused Wallace of inappropriate sexual comments in recent days, including a former contestant who told Sky News one remark left her crying in the toilets.

Jackie Kearney said she had been “troubled” by Wallace’s “household favourite status” as she felt he was “a bit of a sleaze behind closed doors”.

Another former contestant told Sky News the allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to MasterChef – claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” on set and the problem was “larger” than just the presenter.

On Sunday, Wallace responded with a social media video dismissing his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age”.

The remark prompted a huge backlash, with even Downing Street commenting.

He apologised in another clip on Monday.

“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,” the presenter said.

“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.”

Read more:
What are the allegations – and what has Wallace said?
‘Middle-aged women’: An epic failure in crisis management

What have the BBC and producers said?

Banijay UK has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation.

A spokesperson said the company takes complaints “incredibly seriously” but will not comment on individual allegations while the external investigation is ongoing.

“It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors,” the Banijay spokesperson said.

“These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously.”

In response to reports multiple complaints had been raised with the BBC, a source for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, but that 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”.

Last week, a BBC spokesperson said any issues raised are taken seriously and there are “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,” they said.