Gregg Wallace responds to inappropriate behavior allegations amid MasterChef controversy

Gregg Wallace, the host of the popular UK cooking show MasterChef, has addressed the allegations of inappropriate behavior against him. In his first statement since over a dozen women accused him of making sexualized comments and engaging in inappropriate actions, Wallace expressed his frustration with the accusations. Speaking via a video on Instagram, he claimed the complaints were coming from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age,” referring specifically to incidents on Celebrity MasterChef.

Wallace, who has been a part of the MasterChef franchise for over 20 years, argued that the complaints, which had been reported by BBC News, were exaggerated. According to him, he has worked with thousands of contestants from various backgrounds over the years and had only received 13 complaints. Wallace questioned the validity of the accusations, suggesting that these complaints stemmed from specific instances rather than a pattern of behavior.

The allegations, which were part of a BBC investigation, included claims that Wallace had made sexualized jokes and shared stories of a sexual nature in front of colleagues and contestants. Among his critics are former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark and radio presenter Aasmah Mir, both of whom have spoken out about his inappropriate conduct on set. Wallace also faced accusations of making unwelcome comments about his sex life, disrobing in front of a female worker, and making uncomfortable remarks about his lack of underwear to a junior female colleague.

While Wallace has stepped away from MasterChef temporarily, the show continues filming. Banijay UK, the production company behind the show, is currently conducting an internal investigation. Despite the controversy, Wallace maintains that his actions were not sexually harassing in nature, as stated by his legal team.