1 week Ago By [email protected] (Rose Hill, Peter Hart)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info MasterChef's Gregg Wallace has sparked speculation with his latest Instagram post amid recent controversy.
The celebrity chef, 60, finds himself in the spotlight as an investigation unfolds into claims made against him spanning 17 years . Ulrika Jonsson recently accused him of making a distasteful joke that left a contestant "really distressed". Despite the growing storm, Gregg seemed to dismiss the allegations this morning by posting a quirky image of a gingerbread man swimming in cream, captioning it: "Enjoy your weekend.
" Gregg's lawyers have denied the allegations, stating that "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", as reported by BBC News. Last week, Gregg stepped away from his MasterChef duties following grievances raised about past behaviour . Among those voicing concerns is ex-Newsnight anchor Kirsty Wark, one of 13 individuals alleging inappropriate remarks from the TV personality.
The full extent of the accusations surfaced on Thursday when Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, acknowledged the BBC is looking into the matter. Gregg, who launched a successful greengrocer business in 1989 reaching £7.5 million in sales, is said to be cooperating with the investigation, reports the Mirror .
Banijay UK, the production company behind hits like Big Brother , alongside the BBC, have issued statements regarding an ongoing investigation. The inquiry is delving into several complaints, including one particularly bizarre incident where it's claimed a former market trader turned up in the MasterChef studios wearing nothing but a sock in a strategic position and proceeded to do a "silly dance". This individual was also accused of being "very touchy-feely" and making "disgusting sex-related jokes".
A BBC spokesperson commented: "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.
" Gregg, who has been at the helm of MasterChef with John Torode since 2005, as well as fronting Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, finds himself caught up in the storm. Despite the controversy, recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Gregg are set to go ahead, with the next episode expected to air on Thursday. Banijay UK added: "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.
" MasterChef's production company, Banijay UK, has announced an immediate external review into historical allegations made against Gregg, despite the complainants not having raised the allegations directly with the show's producers or Banijay UK. In a statement, Banijay UK said: "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." It added: "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.
" The presenter, who was appointed an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2022 for his services to food and charity, has had a long-standing career in television, including presenting Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest, and Supermarket Secrets..
