Rod Stewart SLAMS Gregg Wallace as a ‘bully’ who humiliated wife Penny on MasterChef in furious rant after he quits show
ROD Steward has slammed Greg Wallace as a “bully” who humiliated his wife Penny Lancaster on MasterChef three years ago.
The Sun revealed that the the MasterChef co-host, 60, has stepped down from his role amid a BBC probe.
Gregg was first accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female BBC staffer on Impossible Celebrities.
Some 13 people who worked with Gregg across a range of shows over a 17-year period have now accused him of making sexual comments, the BBC confirmed today.
The Baby Jane hitmaker, 79, took to social media on Thursday to hit out at Gregg for his treatment towards his wife Penny, 53.
Former Loose Women panellist Penny appeared on BBC Celebrity MasterChef back in 2021.
Rod shared a scathing post, claiming: “So Gregg Wallace gets fired from MasterChef. Good riddance Wallace.
“You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, buy you had that but cut out didn’t you?
“You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully.
“Karma got ya.
“Sir Rod Stewart.”
Among the complainants is BBC Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who said he told “sexualised” jokes during filming on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
The broadcaster told how she feels strongly that the comments were “really, really in the wrong place”.
Times Radio presenter and 2017 Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir today posted a cryptic message after the news broke, saying: “Always keep your receipts.”
Other allegations include Gregg talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a junior staffer and telling another young colleague he wasn’t wearing any pants.
BBC News today confirmed they launched a probe into Gregg in the summer after claims were made regarding five shows between 2005 to 2022.
Gregg’s lawyers have branded the latest claims as false but the MasterChef host was asked to step away from the hit cooking series while a separate investigation is carried out.
MasterChef production company Banijay UK said complaints have been made this week in relation to “historical allegations” of misconduct while on the show.
The company has now launched its own “immediate, external review” into his so-called behaviour.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Gregg will still be shown as planned despite the development.
The company said: “While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating 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.”
The Sun told how the Gregg first landed himself in hot water with BBC bosses in 2018 for taking off his top and bragging about romps.
He was hauled into a meeting accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female staffer on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities.
Then in 2023, he was accused of being rude to women while working on BBC’s Inside The Factory.
It follows a series of scandals that have plagued the organisation – including Huw Edwards‘ child sex crimes and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe.