December 8th 2024.
Carol Vorderman, the former presenter of Countdown, recently shared that she was once fired from a TV show after speaking out about inappropriate behavior. This comes in the midst of allegations against fellow presenter Gregg Wallace, resulting in an investigation and his eventual stepping down from MasterChef.
The accusations against Wallace include making inappropriate sexual jokes and lewd comments, asking for female production staff's phone numbers, and even undressing and standing too close to women on set. Several individuals, including Ulrika Jonsson and Kirstie Allsopp, have come forward with complaints, totaling to more than 13 people over a 17-year period.
Wallace and his lawyers have strongly denied these allegations, stating that he does not engage in any sexually harassing behavior. Despite this, Carol has spoken out about the toxic culture in the industry, emphasizing that it is not just limited to Wallace.
Carol revealed that she, too, has faced consequences for speaking up about similar incidents. In one instance, she was dropped from a show and never invited back after making a complaint. She continued to share that this behavior is still happening today and that there is a pattern of people being too scared to speak up for fear of losing their jobs.
She also highlighted the difficult position of being the first one to speak up, as it often results in being labeled as a troublemaker and struggling to be heard. This is especially true for new individuals in the industry who risk losing everything by speaking out.
In response to the first allegation against him, Wallace made a statement on social media, dismissing the accusations as coming from "middle-class women of a certain age." However, this only added to the backlash, with even the Prime Minister calling his comments misogynistic. Wallace eventually issued a public apology, stating that he was under a lot of stress and emotion at the time of his post.
As a result, the BBC has decided to cancel the MasterChef Christmas specials, and Wallace has stepped down from his role while the investigation is ongoing. The industry continues to face scrutiny and backlash, with many celebrities speaking out against this type of behavior. It is clear that there is a widespread issue that needs to be addressed and changed.
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