The culinary world has been rocked by a fresh wave of allegations against Gregg Wallace, the well-known host of the popular cooking competition show MasterChef. According to a recent report, Wallace stands accused of making inappropriate comments to a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter during a live event at the BBC Good Food Show in 2012.
‘Sexist’ Comments Alleged at BBC Event
The allegations stem from an audience member who attended the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. The woman, who works in the cultural sector, told reporters that Wallace had approached the BSL interpreter on stage and asked if she had to sign everything he said. He then allegedly proceeded to utter phrases like “big boobs” and “sexy bum” in an apparent attempt to get the interpreter to sign the inappropriate comments.
“It was like he could control her, I suppose,” the audience member recounted. “The BSL interpreter is there to interpret what is being said for deaf people. They’re not there as a source of entertainment. I just found that deeply disrespectful to [her] and deeply disrespectful to her profession.”
The incident reportedly took place in front of an audience of approximately 400 people. Both the woman and her mother, who also attended the event, expressed outrage at Wallace’s behavior. The mother even claimed to have emailed the BBC to complain but was left disappointed by the response.
BBC Pulls MasterChef Christmas Specials
In the wake of these allegations, the BBC has taken swift action, pulling two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials from its schedule. This move comes just a day after Wallace issued an apology for dismissing his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age” and announcing that he would be taking some time out from his hosting duties.
The BBC stated that it takes complaints seriously and has robust processes in place to deal with them. However, the broadcaster declined to comment on the specifics of the ongoing investigation being conducted by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK.
A Pattern of Misconduct?
The recent allegations against Wallace are not the first time the MasterChef host has faced accusations of inappropriate behavior. Earlier this year, TV presenter Melanie Sykes revealed that she had made an informal complaint about Wallace, citing her experience working with him on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 as the reason she quit television altogether.
Wallace is currently facing a series of misconduct allegations, including three instances of inappropriate touching, which are being investigated by Banijay UK. While his lawyers have previously stated that Wallace denies any sexually harassing behavior, the mounting accusations have cast a shadow over his career and the future of the popular cooking show.
Calls for Accountability in the Entertainment Industry
The allegations against Gregg Wallace have reignited conversations about the need for accountability and respect in the entertainment industry. Many have pointed out that the incident at the BBC Good Food Show, while troubling, was not an isolated occurrence but rather part of a larger pattern of misconduct that has been allowed to persist unchecked for far too long.
“I do think the world has changed quite a lot since 2012 [and] perhaps things that he could get away with then he can’t really get away with now,” the audience member who reported the incident noted. “But I didn’t think it was in any way acceptable at the time and I was judging it by my expectations of how people behave in 2012 not by my expectations now.”
As the investigation into Wallace’s conduct continues, many are calling for a broader reckoning within the industry, one that holds powerful figures accountable for their actions and creates a safer, more respectful environment for all those involved in the creative process.
The Future of MasterChef
With its host embroiled in controversy, the future of MasterChef remains uncertain. The show, which has been a staple of British television for over a decade, has built a loyal following and launched the careers of countless aspiring chefs. However, the allegations against Wallace have cast a pall over the series, leaving many fans questioning whether they can continue to support a program whose figurehead stands accused of such troubling behavior.
As the investigation unfolds and more details come to light, it remains to be seen how the BBC and Banijay UK will navigate this crisis. Will Wallace be able to weather the storm and return to his hosting duties, or will the mounting allegations prove too much for the embattled presenter? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the culinary world, and the entertainment industry as a whole, will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds.
