The scandal surrounding MasterChef host Gregg Wallace intensified on Monday as Downing Street weighed in, condemning his defense of alleged misconduct as “misogynistic” and revealing high-level talks between the culture secretary and BBC leadership.
Wallace faced fierce backlash over the weekend after dismissing his accusers in an Instagram video as “middle-class women of a certain age.” The prime minister’s official spokesperson pulled no punches in response, stating:
Clearly the comments we have seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic.
Culture Secretary Holds Talks with BBC Bosses
The 10 Downing Street representative also disclosed that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had spoken with senior BBC management at the end of last week regarding the Wallace controversy and broader issues of workplace culture at the broadcaster. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of robust processes for handling complaints and the need to deliver timely recommendations from the BBC’s ongoing independent review into workplace culture.
According to the spokesperson:
It’s essential that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BBC takes these issues seriously.
Calls to Pull MasterChef from BBC Lineup
As the fallout continues, some are urging the BBC to consider removing MasterChef from its broadcast schedule while the investigation into Wallace’s conduct proceeds. The presenter stepped back from his hosting duties last week after The Guardian reported three allegations of inappropriate touching.
Labour MP Rupa Huq, a member of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, suggested pausing the show would “send a strong message that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.” Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Huq argued:
There is an argument for pausing while this investigation takes its course, and maybe not airing it tonight.
Despite the growing pressure, a pre-recorded episode featuring Wallace is still set to air on Monday evening. The BBC’s Christmas lineup also currently includes two MasterChef specials – a Celebrity Cook-Off and a Strictly Come Dancing crossover.
Wallace Denies Engaging in Harassing Behavior
For his part, Wallace has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers maintain he does not engage in sexually harassing conduct. In the contentious Instagram video posted Sunday, the embattled host sought to downplay the allegations by noting he had worked with over 4000 contestants across more than 20 years of MasterChef.
Wallace went on to suggest female contestants frequently made “sexual remarks” and “sexual innuendo” toward him, before characterizing his accusers as “a handful of middle class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef.”
As Banijay, MasterChef’s production company, probes the misconduct claims and viewers await the BBC’s next move, it’s clear the scandal’s impact on one of Britain’s most popular television franchises is far from over. With the government now publicly involved and the BBC’s commitment to proper workplace standards under the microscope, the future of MasterChef – and its longtime host – hangs in the balance.
