MasterChef UK host lashes out at wave of complaints
MasterChef UK host Gregg Wallace has lashed out at “middle-class women of a certain age” for making complaints about him in a bizarre online rant.
The TV host has stepped back from the program after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
The controversy first came to light following a report by The Sun, which detailed accusations that Wallace, 60, made "inappropriate sexual comments" to a female BBC staffer during his time on Impossible Celebrities. He has also faced claims of being rude and insulting to women on another program in 2023.
After denying the allegations, Wallace launched into a heated tirade in an Instagram post, hitting back at the people he believes first complained about his conduct.
Wallace said on Instagram, “I have been doing MasterChef for 20 years – amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef and I think in that time I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds and all walks of life."
“And apparently now I am reading in the paper there’s been 13 complaints in that time.
“In the newspaper I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right."
“In over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants, on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo, can you imagine?”
“Do you know how many staff, all different sorts of staff, made a complaint about me in that time. Absolutely none. Zero. Seriously.”
Wallace's rant comes after Sir Rod Stewart called out the TV host in the wake of the allegations, accusing him of humiliating his wife, Penny Lancaster, during her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.
Stewart wrote, “Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya.”
Wallace has denied the allegations and stated that a previous investigation by the BBC six years ago cleared him of any wrongdoing. He insisted his comments were not sexual in nature, saying, "I don’t want anybody to misunderstand this and make it look like I was flirting with somebody. Nobody accused me of that, and I never have."
Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, confirmed the investigation into "historical allegations" and stated they are cooperating fully with the BBC. A BBC spokesperson said the corporation is commited to addressing any behaviour falling below its expected standards: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and have robust processes in place to deal with them... We will always support external production companies when addressing complaints or concerns.”
Image credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial