Gregg Wallace, the host of the U.K.’s version ofMasterChef, has issued a video message amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
On Sunday, Dec. 1, Wallace addressed the reports and reflected on his “22 years” of working onMasterChefshows, which air on the BBC, in aselfie video on his Instagram Stories. His latest statement follows abrief thank you messageto fans who had been “showing their support” earlier this week.
“I think in that time I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life,” he said. “And apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time. Now, in the newspaper, I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age — just fromCelebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.”
Gregg Wallace in July 2023.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
In a follow-up clip, Wallace reiterated the amount of time he’s been hosting the show — while also listing off a few other programs he’s been a part of. “In over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women — female contestants — onMasterChefhave made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo? Can you imagine?”
“Look, this is important to me,” he added. “20 years … do you know how many staff, all different sorts of staff, do you know how many staff complained about me in that time? Absolutely none. Zero. Seriously.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The outlet also reported that the BBC once warned Wallace after two women complained about his behavior in 2018 on the seriesImpossible Celebrities. Per the allegations, he “talked openly about his sex life to staff on the show” and later apologized.
Gregg Wallace attends the Rose d’Or Awards 2023 at the Kings Place in London on Nov. 27, 2023.Jeff Spicer/Getty
Jeff Spicer/Getty
The BBC notes that it began investigating Wallace last summer after learning of allegations from between 2005 and 2022, and as part of five different series he worked on.
“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualized language in front of a number of people, and it wasn’t as if anyone engaged with this,” Wark told BBC News. “It was completely one-way traffic, but I think people were uncomfortable, and [it was] something I didn’t really expect to happen.”
Per multiple outlets, including BBC News, Wallace’s lawyers have since called it “entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
Representatives for Wallace did not respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE on Stewart’s claims at the time.
source: people.com
