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Gregg Wallace has addressed the increasing allegations leveled against him in a bold video shared online, asserting that the claims originate from “middle-class women of a specific age”.
Wallace has withdrawn from hosting the BBC cooking program MasterChef following accusations of making sexual comments towards staff and celebrity participants across a variety of shows over the past 17 years.
In a video uploaded to his Instagram before 7 am on Sunday, Wallace claims he has collaborated with more than 4,000 competitors throughout the years, hailing from “all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life”.
“Reportedly, I’m reading in the newspaper, there have been 13 complaints during that timeframe,” Wallace comments.
“It appears those complaints are emanating from a few middle-class women of a certain age, solely from Celebrity MasterChef. This is incorrect.”
In a follow-up video, he remarks: “In over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many female contestants on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or innuendo?”
Wallace’s comments come after a statement from his legal team denying that “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature” to BBC News.
Since his exit from MasterChef was disclosed on Thursday, additional accusations against the 60-year-old Wallace have arisen.
Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark informed the BBC shortly after the news broke that she witnessed Wallace “employ sexualized language in front of numerous people” during her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
Singer Sir Rod Stewart criticized Wallace on Instagram, alleging he “humiliated” his wife Penny Lancaster in 2021.
The presenter has yet to directly confront any of these allegations.
As a middle-class woman of a certain age, who am I to pass judgment?
There is a peculiar irony to the unintentional humor in Gregg Wallace’s latest social media post.
It’s an absolute spectacle of an Instagram update, one that could leave those with even the slightest grasp of crisis management flabbergasted.
Instead of spending a weekend in self-reflection following a reputationally damaging week, the presenter has chosen to attack one of the primary demographics of his brand – “middle-class women of a certain age”.
The most evident counter-question is – who does he believe watches MasterChef?
Yet perhaps he’s now aiming to appeal to a new audience, those who, like Gregg, find it challenging to comprehend what wrongs he might have committed.
Certainly, in that regard, it is a tactical move in how to rally support from detractors. Now empowering them with the means to lash out at any woman on social media who dares to challenge his conduct. “Can’t you take a joke, love?” and similar sentiments.
One may speculate that Wallace has been surrounded by so many individuals who have laughed along over the years, with his behavior rarely being confronted by higher-ups, which elucidates why he might be struggling to comprehend the current predicament.
Seemingly seated with his phone in hand, perplexed that he is no longer considered the heart and soul of events.
There ought to be a useful template for moments like this, considering the frequency with which I’ve crafted analyses this year on powerful men of a certain age failing to realize that their substantial salaries come with fundamental responsibilities.
The primary point being: simply conduct yourself in a manner that does not make others feel uncomfortable.
Indignation over this morning’s video might obscure the broader dimension of this saga, which today’s new disclosures amplify: the degree to which BBC executives may have been aware that this presenter’s actions were distressing to colleagues and guests.
Current speculations suggest that their knowledge could date back to at least 2017, according to The Sunday Times.
But then again, as a middle-class woman of a certain age, who am I to pass judgment?
Wallace and his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini, in 2014
On Saturday, the production firm responsible for the program, Banijay UK, urged anyone wishing to report allegations of misconduct to reach out to Lewis Silkin, a legal firm appointed to spearhead an investigation.
A representative stated: “All information will be treated with the utmost sensitivity, and identities of those providing evidence to the team will be kept confidential.”
Wallace has been a host on the program since 2005, as well as its various spin-offs.
“`Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
Banijay has previously stated that he is “dedicated to fully assisting throughout the proceedings” following the BBC’s receipt of complaints regarding “historical allegations of misconduct”.
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Gregg Wallace expresses gratitude to supporters
On Friday, the charity Ambitious About Autism announced it has terminated his role as an ambassador referring to the “recent accusations”.
Wallace is a father of three, with his youngest child, five-year-old Sid, being non-verbal and diagnosed with autism.
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In October, Wallace addressed reports indicating that a previous BBC review had declared he could remain employed by the organization following claims surrounding a purported incident in 2018 during his appearance on Impossible Celebrities.
Wallace clarified on Instagram that those allegations had been looked into “swiftly” at the time, asserting that he had not made “any sexual remarks” during his participation in the game show.
In a video released on Thursday discussing the fresh allegations, he stated, “I wish to extend my gratitude to all the individuals reaching out and demonstrating their support. Your kindness is much appreciated, thank you very much.”
