Gregg Wallace: Masterchef host denies inappropriate sexual comments

MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has rejected claims that he made inappropriate sexual remarks towards a female co-worker.

According to The Sun, Wallace was brought to the attention of BBC management following allegations that he removed his shirt and bragged about his sexual experiences to a female participant during an episode of Impossible Celebrities in 2018.

In an Instagram story shared on Monday, Wallace mentioned that there was an investigation into the incident back then, and the conclusion was that "I didn’t say anything inappropriate."

The BBC stated that it does not accept "any kind of unacceptable conduct" and has established "strong procedures" to address such issues.

The BBC has reached out to Wallace for a statement.

An uncredited insider reported to The Sun that Wallace was alleged to have made ongoing inappropriate remarks to the younger woman during their time together on the panel show.

"A source indicated that Gregg seemed to believe it was all in good fun and reportedly made a few remarks in front of the audience."

It's also been reported that he discussed his intimate relationship with his then-partner.

According to a source, the team involved in the production was extremely embarrassed and immediately informed the higher-ups at the BBC about the incident.

On Monday, Wallace went on social media to address the allegations, sharing a couple of stories on Instagram.

In the first instance, he mentioned that the matter was looked into quickly by the BBC when it first arose six years ago, and the conclusion was that I hadn't made any sexual remarks.

"Do I really have to say this once more? I didn't mention anything inappropriate. I appreciate your attention."

He later shared another story where he mentioned, "No one accused me of flirting or making advances six years ago."

"I mention this because of my wife, Anna. I've always been faithful to her."

He mentioned that in the twelve years he has been married, he has never attempted to flirt with or pursue anyone.

"It's essential for me to clarify that I'm being faithful to my wife, so there’s no chance of any misinterpretation."

Wallace is widely recognized for his role as a co-host on the culinary program MasterChef.

The accusations surface at a challenging moment for the BBC. Earlier this year, the network's former top news anchor, Huw Edwards, was given a suspended prison sentence after admitting to charges related to child sexual abuse images.

In August, Jermaine Jenas, known for hosting The One Show and his appearances on Match of the Day for the BBC, was let go by the organization after receiving complaints regarding his behavior in the workplace.

A spokesperson for the BBC stated, “Although we don’t discuss specific individuals, any concerns that arise are addressed promptly and appropriately. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of inappropriate behavior and have strong procedures in place to handle such matters.”

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