November 29th 2024.
Several well-known figures, including Ulrika Jonsson and Sir Rod Stewart, have spoken out against MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, accusing him of misconduct. This comes after the show's producer launched an investigation following multiple complaints from celebrities. As a result, Wallace, who is 60 years old, has temporarily stepped down from his role on the long-running BBC show while the production company, Banijay UK, looks into allegations of misconduct from the past.
Wallace has been faced with a series of allegations, including mimicking a sexual act, walking into the MasterChef studio completely naked except for a sock covering his private area, taking his shirt off in front of a female colleague, and making inappropriate jokes about lesbianism and racism. His lawyers have denied these claims, stating that they are entirely false and that Wallace does not engage in any form of sexual harassment.
In response to the growing number of allegations, Wallace took to Instagram to address the scandal for the first time. He thanked all the people who have reached out and shown their support during this difficult time. However, several high-profile figures, such as Sir Rod Stewart, have been among those accusing Wallace of misconduct.
Sir Rod, who has previously appeared on Celebrity MasterChef with his wife Penny, called Wallace an "ill-mannered bully" in an Instagram post. He claimed that Wallace had humiliated his wife on the show and that the producers had edited it out. Charlotte Crosby, a contestant on the most recent series of Celebrity MasterChef, also chimed in, stating that Wallace was "extremely unpleasant" to her during filming.
Ulrika Jonsson, who competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, shared her experience with Wallace, alleging that he made a rape joke that caused another female contestant to become distressed. Ulrika also posted a photo of her MasterChef apron on Instagram, hinting that she had more to say on the matter. Another former contestant, Kirsty Wark, who worked with Wallace for 17 years on various shows, claimed that he often made sexualized comments in front of contestants and crew.
When contacted for comment, Banijay declined to provide a statement, while a BBC spokesperson stated that they take these issues seriously and have processes in place to address them. They also mentioned that any behavior that falls below their standards will not be tolerated. The BBC will support the production company in addressing any complaints or concerns. It is important to note that the ongoing investigation by Banijay is still in progress, and it would be inappropriate to comment on anything that could potentially influence it.
As the allegations against Wallace continue to surface, there is growing concern about the culture behind the scenes of MasterChef. Many are speaking out, hoping that their voices will bring about change and hold those accountable for their actions.
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