Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark among those accusing BBC MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace of ‘misconduct’
Former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark is among those who have accused BBC MasterChef star Gregg Wallace of inappropriate remarks.
BBC News reports 13 people have made claims against the TV chef, 60, as a misconduct investigation continues.
It was announced on Thursday Wallace had stepped down from presenting the cooking show, which has been on screens with himself and co-host John Torode at the helm since 2005.
It comes as complaints made to the BBC from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated, the show’s production company Banijay UK said.
A separate BBC review found he could continue working at the corporation following reports of a alleged 2018 incident.
The report was in regard to Wallace’s appearance on Impossible Celebrities. Last month, Wallace denied saying “anything sexual” while appearing on the game show.
It has been revealed since that Wark, 69, is among those who had complained about the TV show host.
Among the claims are accusations that Wallace removed his top off in front of a female worker, stating he wanted to “give her a fashion show.”
He also allegedly told a junior female colleague that he wasn’t wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.
The BBC revealed that the complaints about Wallace’s conduct came from those working with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
Walk has claimed that on two occasions he told her stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in front of contestants and crew on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
She said the jokes had been “really, really in the wrong place.”
It’s been reported Wallace stepped down from his role on the show after BBC News sent a letter to his agent on Tuesday, detailing the claims from 13 people.
Last month, the presenter vehemently denied that he had made inappropriate sexual comments towards women.
Banijay UK said: “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.
“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.
“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.
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“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.”
When approached by GB News, a BBC spokesperson said: “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.”
GB News has approached Gregg Wallace’s representatives for comment.