Gregg Wallace’s ‘jaw-dropping’ comment that made Melanie Sykes quit TV

22 hours ago

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Melanie Sykes - Figure 1 — Photo The Independent

Gregg Wallace reportedly said something to Melanie Sykes on Celebrity MasterChef that led her to decide to leave television for good.

The television host participated in the cooking contest in 2021, reaching the semi-finals. However, Sykes later submitted an informal complaint regarding Wallace, who has since "taken a break" from the show due to claims of making inappropriate remarks.

Following the revelation of the scandal, various celebrities who have participated in Celebrity MasterChef, such as ex-Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and reality star Charlotte Crosby from Geordie Shore, have criticized the show's host for inappropriate comments they claim to have overheard during filming. Katy Brand also spoke up about a “vulgar” remark made by the previous host that she experienced while on set.

In her 2023 autobiography titled Illuminated, Sykes condemned Wallace, which came out just a year before the investigation into him was revealed last month.

In the book, Sykes reported that as soon as Wallace arrived on set, he inquired about whether models eat, a question she found quite "unprofessional."

The television personality, who previously co-hosted a daytime program alongside Des O’Connor, described the comment as coming from a place of "ignorance and disrespect, with a dash of arrogance."

In her book, Sykes shared, "Participating in MasterChef was truly enlightening, and I was astonished by some of the unprofessional conduct I witnessed behind the scenes."

Melanie Sykes - Figure 2 — Photo The Independent

However, it was a talk with Wallace after filming wrapped that led her to choose to leave the television industry for good.

In a post on Illuminated, Wallace mentioned to Sykes, a familiar face on television since the 1990s, that participating in Celebrity MasterChef could be beneficial for her career.

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“I was at a loss for words, so I just smiled and replied with a 'Yes.' However, deep down, I was really thinking, 'Yes, you've finally pushed me to make the decision to leave my television career behind for good,'” Sykes shared, concluding with: “I was finished.”

After completing her filming obligations for the series Shop Well for Less, Sykes honored her promise and moved to Lancashire.

In a YouTube video uploaded on Monday (December 1), Sykes expressed her discomfort with Wallace's presence, implying that he brought negative energy.

She also expressed her disappointment with the television industry for not taking action against the inappropriate behavior of well-known celebrities.

"I understand that many believe, 'We can't really let him go since the show is so popular.' There's a certain hesitation to alter the format because they worry that it might lead to a drop in viewership," she explained.

Sykes shared that she had voiced her concerns about Wallace, explaining, "I mentioned that I didn’t want to file a formal complaint because, to be honest, it would mean getting caught up in legal battles for a long time. I believe that’s one of the main reasons many people choose not to pursue it."

The BBC commented on the accusations against Wallace, stating: “We take any concerns brought to our attention very seriously and have strong procedures to address them. We maintain a firm stance that any conduct not meeting the BBC's standards will not be accepted.”

"If someone is hired directly by an outside production company, we make sure to communicate any complaints or issues to that company, and we are always ready to assist them in resolving these matters."