Television host Gregg Wallace is facing serious allegations of misconduct from multiple workers across various TV shows, prompting an investigation by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK.
Multiple women have come forward with claims of inappropriate behavior. One woman, referred to as Anna, who worked on Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends in 2019, accused him of constantly making “lesbian jokes” and being inappropriately fascinated by her sexual orientation. She claimed he regularly discussed sex, domination, and spanking, which she found highly inappropriate.
Another woman, Georgina, who worked on Eat Well For Less, reported that Wallace made uncomfortable comments about his wife’s age in relation to her and made suggestive remarks about potential workplace interactions. She and her colleague Lisa also alleged that Wallace once emerged from a bathroom topless and asked them to take his coffee order.
A third woman, Amanda, described two disturbing incidents. In one, Wallace showed her photos of a woman in underwear while traveling. In another, he invited her to a “fashion show” in his hotel room, taking off his top and leaving her feeling uncomfortable when a male colleague left.
The allegations span multiple shows from 2005 to 2022, with 13 people coming forward. Notable claims include:
– A MasterChef worker said Wallace discussed his sex life and made inappropriate comments
– A BBC Good Food Show worker claimed he stared at her chest
– A male MasterChef worker reported Wallace making sexually explicit comments, including crude references to body parts
– Another worker said Wallace frequently talked about threesomes and spanking
Notably, singer Rod Stewart also described Wallace as an “ill-mannered bully” who humiliated his wife during a MasterChef appearance.
Wallace’s lawyers deny the allegations, stating it is “entirely false” that he engages in sexually harassing behavior. MasterChef’s production company has launched an investigation, and Wallace has stepped away from presenting the show during this process.
The allegations highlight ongoing issues in the entertainment industry. Philippa Childs from the Bectu union noted that freelancers often fear reporting misconduct due to concerns about future employment and the power dynamics involving on-screen personalities.
The BBC is currently navigating a challenging period, having previously announced a review into preventing power abuses following other high-profile misconduct cases.
Banijay UK and other production companies involved have stated they take such allegations seriously and are committed to investigating the claims. Channel 5 and the production company Rumpus have emphasized their dedication to maintaining safe working environments.
Wallace, through an Instagram video, thanked supporters who have reached out during this challenging time.
