Gregg Wallace steps back from MasterChef after complaints

TV presenter Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef after the BBC received complaints from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct. Wallace, 60, is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”, a statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK to the PA news agency said.

The statement 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. 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.”

The statement added: “If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.”

Gregg Wallace is a well-known British television presenter, food critic, and former greengrocer. He is most famous for co-presenting the BBC cooking competition series MasterChef, as well as its spinoffs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

Wallace started his career as a greengrocer and established a successful fruit and vegetable business in London, called George Allan’s Greengrocers.

Wallace began co-presenting MasterChef in 2005 alongside chef John Torode. The duo has become a popular fixture on British television. He also presents Eat Well for Less? and Inside the Factory.

The BBC has said it takes any issues that are raised with it “seriously” after it was announced Gregg Wallace will step away from his role on MasterChef while complaints made to the corporation from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.

A BBC spokesperson has told the PA news agency: “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.”