Gregg Wallace newest: Ulrika Jonsson makes ‘rape joke’ allegation as Masterchef host points assertion

Gregg Wallace breaks silence after ‘stepping away’ from MasterChef amid misconduct allegations

BBC‘sMasterchef host Gregg Wallace has thanked fans for “showing support” after he stepped down from the show following allegations he made inappropriate sexual comments over multiple years.

Wallace left the BBC programme on Thursday amid claims made by 13 people who worked with him on shows over a 17-year period.

Among those alleging misconduct is former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, who claimed Wallace told “sexualised” jokes during filming of a Celebrity Masterchef episode in 2011.

Ulrika Jonsson, has also accused Wallace of making a “rape joke” while filming a 2017 episode of Celebrity MasterChef, which she said left one of her fellow contestants ‘really distressed”.

Meanwhile, Sir Rod Stewart has accused the host of “humiliating” his wife, Penny Lancaster, when she appeared on the celebrity version of the show in 2021.

Wallace, 60, allegedly also talked openly about his sex life and once told a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any underwear under his jeans, according to the BBC News investigation.

The Independent has contacted Wallace’s representatives for comment. A BBC spokesperson said “any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated”.

Ex-’Celeb MasterChef’ star says Gregg Wallace has ‘never really grown up’

How Clean is Your House star Aggie MacKenzie says Gregg Wallace “behaved like a sort of sid James character” when she was on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

MacKenzie compared Wallace to the characters played by James in the Carry On films while addressing the BBC’s investigation into inappropriate comments he’s alleged to have made over a 17-year period.

“He made stupid, unfunny jokes that people kind of had to tolerate,” Mackenzie told Times Radio, adding: “It’s as if he’s never really grown up or been properly supervised and told to kind of watch what he’s saying.”

She said that Wallace and his former co-host John Torode “behave very differently” when cameras aren’t rolling.

“I observed that when the cameras were off, they would go to separate ends of the room. They didn’t really communicate or have a connection off screen.”

(Getty Images)
Jacob Stolworthy29 November 2024 09:35

Kirsty Wark claims Wallace made ‘sexualised jokes’

Former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark has claimed Wallace told “sexualised” jokes during filming of a Celebrity Masterchef episode in 2011.

“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if anyone engaged with this,” she said.

“It was completely one-way traffic. But I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really did not expect to happen.”

(BBC)
Jacob Stolworthy29 November 2024 09:00

Ulrika Jonsson makes ‘rape joke’ claim

Ulrika Jonsson has claimed that Gregg Wallace made a “rape joke” while filming Celebrity MasterChef in 2017.

Jonsson said that another female contestant, whom she didn’t know, became “really distressed” after the alleged comment.

“They then went off to speak to Gregg,” Jonsson told The Telegraph. “After a while he came up…and he apologised. He could hardly get his words out… He was apologising, and he had tears in his eyes.”

Ulrika Jonsson on ‘Celebrity MasterChef’ in 2017
Ulrika Jonsson on ‘Celebrity MasterChef’ in 2017 (BBC)
Jacob Stolworthy29 November 2024 08:35

Sir Rod Stewart calls Gregg Wallace a ‘bully’

Sir Rod Stewart has hit out at “bully” Gregg Wallace for allegedly “humiliating” his wife when she was on MasterChef.

The musician’s claims arrive after it was announced Wallace had stepped down from the BBC cookery competition following allegations of inappropriate sexual comments over several years.

In the wake of the news that the BBC was investigating Wallace’s behaviour, Stewart shared a post in which he claimed the host treated Penny Lancaster in a nasty manner when she was on the show in 2021.

More here:

Jacob Stolworthy29 November 2024 08:15

Watch: Gregg Wallace breaks silence after ‘stepping away’ from MasterChef amid misconduct allegations

Gregg Wallace breaks silence after ‘stepping away’ from MasterChef amid misconduct allegations
Alexander Butler29 November 2024 06:30

Wallace ‘fully cooperating’ with production company review

Gregg Wallace  is “committed to fully co-operating” with an external review by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay UK.

A statement by the company said: “This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.

“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.

“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.

“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.

“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”

Alexander Butler29 November 2024 05:30

Poor behaviour ‘will not be tolerated’, BBC says

A BBC spokesman 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.

“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.”

Alexander Butler29 November 2024 04:30

Watch: Gregg Wallace quizzes Penny Lancaster on Rod Stewart in resurfaced MasterChef clip

Gregg Wallace quizzes Penny Lancaster on Rod Stewart in resurfaced MasterChef clip
Alexander Butler29 November 2024 03:30

Who is celebrity chef Gregg Wallace?

Mr Wallace, 60,  is best known for co-presenting MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

He was the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has also featured on Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest, and Supermarket Secrets.

He was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022 for his services to food and charity. Mr Wallace took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and was partnered with Aliona Vilani.

He has two children, Tom and Libby, from a former relationship. He married Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2016 and the couple have a son called Sid.

Alexander Butler29 November 2024 02:30

Wallace made ‘sexualised jokes’, Kirsty Wark claims

Former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark has claimed Mr Wallace told “sexualised” jokes during filming of a Celebrity Masterchef episode in 2011.

“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if anyone engaged with this,” she said.

“It was completely one-way traffic. But I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really did not expect to happen.”

Alexander Butler29 November 2024 01:30