MasterChef bosses give major update on Gregg Wallace misconduct probe as string of new allegations emerge
MASTERCHEF bosses have given a major update on Gregg Wallace after an investigation was launched over his alleged misconduct.
Wallace’s career is hanging by a thread after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
The 60-year-old presenter stepped down from his MasterChef judging role after a probe was launched into alleged “sexual comments”.
The BBC revealed 13 people, including Newsnight host Kirsty Walk, accused him of “inappropriate behaviour” over a 17-year period across five shows, from 2005 to 2022 – allegations Wallace denies.
Now, MasterChef producer Banijay UK have announced that law firm Lewis Silkin have been appointed to lead the investigation into his alleged misconduct.
A Banijay UK spokesperson said: “Lewis Silkin is a major City law firm with a highly experienced specialist investigations team which has overseen a broad range of high-profile workplace investigations.
“Banijay UK has been impressed by the firm’s rigorous, in-depth, and impartial analysis and reporting.”
They said anyone wishing to raise further concerns could contact the investigation team via atbanijayinvestigation@lewissilkin.com.
The spokesperson added: “All information will be handled sensitively, and names of those providing evidence to the team will be kept confidential.”
Banijay UK said earlier this week that Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process”.
The Sun first reported Wallace’s behaviour last month.
On Thursday he stepped down while allegations of misconduct are investigated, while singer Sir Rod Stewart accused him of humiliating his wife Penny on the show.
The Sun was told he was left with little choice but to step down pending the outcome of the investigation.
A source told The Sun: “He had to jump before he was pushed.
“There’s no way he could continue to work on the show while the probe happened.
“Gregg knew it was the right thing to do – there was no option.”
A clip from his time on Strictly Come Dancing has added fuel to the controversy.
The footage, aired in 2014, shows Gregg, then 50, in rehearsals with his dance partner Aliona Vilani, 30, making a startling confession about his attire.
These include claims that Gregg held a female MasterChef colleague’s head and thrust himself towards her while she was kneeling down in front of him cleaning a mark off his trousers.
He has also been accused of mimicking a sex act in front of horrified colleagues as he faces a fresh wave of allegations.
The presenter, 60, previously thanked people for “showing their support” on a video posted to his Instagram on Thursday evening.
Gregg said in an Instagram video: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reach out and showing their support.
“That’s good of you, thank you very much.”
Yesterday, The Sun revealed one former contestant alleged the TV star groped her while she was cooking on the set of the show as the cameras rolled.
She moved away and said he later shouted “You stupid cow” when she scalded her hand.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she let Wallace know she was disgusted, but “had her card marked” for not seeing it as banter.
Another woman claims Wallace told her in a busy pub that she aroused him, made more lewd comments and squeezed her bum.
In a third allegation, Celebrity MasterChef contestant Emma Kennedy yesterday claimed she had seen co-host Wallace grope a camera assistant during a photoshoot for the 2012 finalists.
And a former staffer claimed he made offensive Asian remarks on set in 2017.