MasterChef bosses appoint law firm to investigate Gregg Wallace allegations

MasterChef producers have appointed a major London law firm to investigate claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour by presenter Gregg Wallace.

The TV star has been accused by at least 13 people, including former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, of making inappropriate sexual comments and behaving inappropriately across a range of programmes over a 17-year period.

Wallace, 60, will step down from presenting MasterChef while the complaints “about historical allegations of misconduct” are investigated. Masterchef‘s production company, Banijay UK, said Wallace is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”.

Banijay UK announced on Saturday it had appointed City law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into the allegations.

“Banijay UK has been impressed by the firm’s rigorous, in-depth, and impartial analysis and reporting,” the production company said.

“All information will be handled sensitively, and names of those providing evidence to the team will be kept confidential.”

The accusations include joking about rape, making “lesbian jokes”, discussing his sex life, making sexually explicit and suggestive remarks, and taking off his top in front of colleagues.

Lawyers for the presenter said “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, BBC News reported.

Wark told the BBC that on two occasions during her time competing on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011 Wallace relayed stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in front of contestants and crew and that she felt they were “really, really in the wrong place”.

Former MasterChef contestant Dr Kate Tomas, who competed on the show in 2008, claimed Wallace “sexually harassed” and “bullied” her.

Another former MasterChef contestant told The Sun that Wallace allegedly groped her on set while she was cooking in front of the cameras.

In an Instagram post, Sir Rod Stewart claimed that Wallace had humiliated his wife Penny Lancaster during her time on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.

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The singer wrote: “So Greg Wallace gets fired from MasterChef.

“Good riddance Wallace… You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you?

“You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya.”

Writer and actress Emma Kennedy wrote on the Threads app that she filed a complaint against Wallace while competing on Celebrity MasterChef in 2012 after witnessing him feel a photographer’s assistant’s bum.

Rumpus Media, which produces Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends on Channel 5, said: “We do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour on our productions. Our comprehensive duty of care processes were in place during production of these series and any matters raised would have been investigated in accordance with these.”

A BBC spokesman said it takes any issues raised “seriously” and “any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated”.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it,” the corporation also said.

The TV star’s lawyers say “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, BBC News reported.

In a video posted to his Instagram on Thursday evening, Wallace said: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support. It’s good of you. Thank you very much.”

The i Paper has approached Wallace’s representatives for further comment.