Gregg Wallace probed over making inappropriate sexual comments to female staffer leaving his MasterChef future in doubt
GREGG Wallace’s future on MasterChef was under fire last night after it emerged he was probed over inappropriate sexual comments to a female BBC staffer.
Bosses rapped the host in 2018 for taking off his top and bragging about romps, we can reveal for the first time.
He was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on a different show in 2023.
Last week the BBC pledged to clean up bad behaviour.
But an insider questioned why Wallace was allowed to stay on the flagship cookery show “despite allegations about his conduct”.
The BBC will now face fresh questions as to why the 59-year-old was kept on despite its vow to clean up its workplace culture after a string of scandals.
Insiders told The Sun concerns were raised about his behaviour six years ago — when he was accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female staffer on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities.
He was hauled into a meeting after claims he boasted about his sex life and took his top off in front of the woman, “mortifying” members of the production team.
Wallace was then hit by allegations last year that he spoke to women in a “derogatory” manner while filming BBC’s Inside The Factory.
A source said: “There are questions to be asked about the decision to allow Gregg to continue on MasterChef despite these previous incidents.
“The BBC say they are keen to clear up issues around workplace culture but have allowed Gregg to remain on a flagship show despite allegations about his conduct.”
The 2018 incident was unreported until an insider contacted The Sun after the BBC’s launch last week of a review into workplace culture, with a vow to tackle “abusive behaviour”.
Wallace was reported to BBC chiefs for making “consistent inappropriate comments” to the younger woman while they worked on Impossible Celebrities, a panel show.
They also claimed that audience members allegedly overheard comments made by Wallace, who said it was “just banter”.
A source told The Sun last night: “Gregg was accused of making inappropriate comments to a younger, female member of the production team.
“He is said to have been boasting about his sex life with his partner at the time. At one point, Gregg was also accused of taking his top off in front of the woman which felt inappropriate. Gregg appeared to think it was all just banter and is also said to have made some comments in front of the live audience.
“The team working on the show were mortified and told BBC top brass what had happened.”
Ordered to change behaviour
Wallace, who has been married four times, was then ordered to change his behaviour.
The source continued: “The BBC took immediate action and Gregg was called in to have a meeting with them. He made it clear that he didn’t mean anything by what he said but he was read the riot act and told to change his behaviour.”
However, last year he stepped down from BBC show Inside The Factory following allegations he had been “rude towards staff and continued to talk in a derogatory manner, especially to women”.
The incident, reported in The Times, was said to have happened during an episode filmed at the Nestle factory in York.
A complaint about Wallace’s language was made to production company Voltage TV.
Gregg was accused of making inappropriate comments to a younger, female member of the production team
Sun source
The presenter was spoken to and told to “moderate” it. Wallace was said to be “appalled” he had “caused such offence”.
The non-sexual allegation is said to have played a part in his decision to quit the role after seven series. He later hit back and confirmed that, while there was an “argument” at the factory, it was “not offensive”.
Wallace said: “There was an argument inside the factory, the reporting isn’t accurate. There was an issue and I thought this is the perfect time to come out.”
He went on: “I don’t want to discuss the issue but it wasn’t what the papers said it was.
“There was nothing offensive to anybody, that’s just people guessing. It was a decent time to come out.”
Despite these incidents, Wallace continued to host MasterChef with John Torode.
The pair have fronted the popular cooking competition since 2005.
The latest allegations emerged after the BBC workplace review was announced last Friday.
It follows a series of scandals which have plagued the organisation in recent months.
They include the child sex photos disgrace of former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe.
In a statement, the BBC said it was aiming to crack down on “abuse of power”.
BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
He is said to have been boasting about his sex life with his partner at the time. At one point, Gregg was also accused of taking his top off in front of the woman which felt inappropriate
Sun source
“For most of us it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone.
“Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.
“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”
The BBC’s probe aims to “ensure the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power are understood by everyone”.
A spokesman said it intends to publish a report next spring.
Wallace started off as a market trader before moving into broadcasting. He has three kids, including one with fourth wife Anna, who he met on Twitter in 2013.
On the latest allegations, a spokesman for the BBC said: “Whilst we do not comment on individuals, if issues are raised they are dealt with swiftly and appropriately at the time.
“We do not tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour and have robust processes in place.”
Wallace’s reps said: “No comment.”