British television personality and MasterChef host Gregg Wallace finds himself embroiled in controversy as numerous former colleagues level accusations of inappropriate behavior and sexually explicit comments on set. The allegations, spanning a 17-year period across various shows, paint a disturbing picture of the presenter’s conduct behind the scenes.
A Pattern of Misconduct Emerges
According to an investigation by a reputable news outlet, 13 individuals who worked with Wallace on different programs have come forward with allegations of sexually inappropriate remarks and behavior. The accusations range from making constant “lesbian jokes” and discussing intimate acts like spanking and threesomes to showing revealing photos of women to colleagues.
One woman, who worked with Wallace on a travel show in 2019, recounted how the presenter was “fascinated” by her dating women and repeatedly made inappropriate inquiries about the “logistics” of her relationships. Others from the same program alleged that Wallace regularly engaged in explicit conversations about sex, domination, and spanking while filming.
Uncomfortable Encounters
In a particularly unsettling incident, a female colleague claimed that while filming in Italy, Wallace had shown her his outfits for the next day in his hotel room. According to her account, he removed his shirt, revealing a Millwall tattoo on his chest, and said, “let me give you a fashion show.” The woman, who found herself alone with the topless presenter after a male colleague left the room, described the experience as very uncomfortable.
“It’s weird to be alone in a room with a topless stranger.”
– Female colleague who worked with Gregg Wallace
Pervasive Inappropriate Comments
The allegations against Wallace extend across multiple productions, with sources claiming he made sexually explicit remarks on the sets of MasterChef, Big Weekends, Eat Well for Less, and the BBC Good Food Show. These accusations include:
- Talking about threesomes with sex workers and expressing his love for spanking “multiple times a day” while filming travel shows between 2019 and 2022
- Discussing his sex life and inquiring about a female colleague’s boyfriend’s bottom during MasterChef filming in 2019
- Staring at a woman’s chest on the set of the BBC Good Food Show in 2010
- Informing a female co-worker that he wasn’t wearing underwear beneath his jeans while working on Eat Well for Less in 2019
- Making crude comparisons and asking intrusive questions of a sexual nature during MasterChef production in 2005-06
Industry Reactions and Investigations
In light of the serious nature of the allegations, MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK, has launched an investigation, with Wallace committing to fully cooperate throughout the process. Broadcasters and production companies associated with the programs mentioned have also expressed their stance against tolerating inappropriate behavior and have vowed to look into the claims.
High-profile figures, including presenter Kirsty Wark, who appeared as a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, have corroborated the allegations. Wark recounted instances where Wallace shared stories and jokes of a “sexualized nature” in front of contestants and crew during early morning filming, emphasizing that such comments were “really, really in the wrong place.”
A Call for Accountability
As the entertainment industry grapples with the revelations surrounding Gregg Wallace’s alleged misconduct, many are calling for a shift in the culture that has long allowed such behavior to persist. Former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey, known for high-profile dismissals of presenters Richard Bacon and Angus Deayton, stressed the importance of holding those in front of the camera to the same standards as the rest of the team.
“Somehow we’ve got a culture … of pandering to those who are in front of camera and letting them get away with the kind of behaviour that other people in teams wouldn’t be allowed to get away with.”
– Lorraine Heggessey, former BBC One controller
As investigations unfold and the industry reflects on the need for change, the allegations against Gregg Wallace serve as a stark reminder of the work still needed to create safe and respectful work environments in the television industry and beyond. The outcome of these investigations and the steps taken to address the issues raised will be closely watched, with the hope that they lead to meaningful change and accountability.
