Gregg Wallace has said the complaints against him are coming from “middle-class women of a certain age” after the presenter stepped back from the BBC cooking show MasterChef.
Wallace stepped back following accusations he made sexual comments towards staff and celebrity guests on a range of programmes across 17 years, but the TV star has now hit back on his Instagram Story. “Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time,” he said in the video. “I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity Masterchef. This isn’t right.”
In a second video, he tells his followers: “In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on Masterchef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo, can you imagine?”
Read more: Gregg Wallace investigation update as MasterChef bosses issue formal statement
Read more: Downing Street issues statement on Gregg Wallace amid investigation
For more updates on Greg Wallace from the Daily Star, click here
His comments com as officials have made a big move in the investigation of the complaints against Wallace. MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK has recruited a top law firm, Lewis Silkin, to spearhead the probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour by host Gregg on the set of the hit BBC cookery show.
The company revealed that complaints had been made against the long-time presenter of “historical allegations of misconduct”. Gregg has since stepped down from the show as proceedings take place. The full allegations came to light on Thursday morning.
A spokesperson from Banijay UK spoke about Lewis Silkin, saying: “Lewis Silkin is a major City law firm with a highly experienced specialist investigations team which has overseen a broad range of high-profile workplace investigations. Banijay UK has been impressed by the firm’s rigorous, in-depth, and impartial analysis and reporting.”
They are asking anyone else with information to speak to the investigation squad at banijayinvestigation@lewissilkin.com, with assurances that “all information will be handled sensitively, and names of those providing evidence to the team will be kept confidential.”
Banijay UK, also known for producing Big Brother have issued formal statements regarding the investigation. The inquiry is delving into all the grievances raised, including one claim that the ex-market trader rocked up to the MasterChef studios wearing nothing but a sock placed in a rather suggestive position, before doing a “silly dance”.
A witness has come forward alleging that he was “very touchy-feely” and spouted “disgusting sex-related jokes”.
A spokesperson for the investigation said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.”
They added, “Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
