Gregg Wallace's posts hours before stepping down from Masterchef

BBC presenter Gregg Wallace posted about his daily routine and continued to share cooking videos just hours before stepping down from Masterchef amid an investigation into historical misconduct allegations made against him.

Wallace, 60, is being probed over inappropriate sexual comments he allegedly made to female colleagues at the BBC.

The TV chef, who has hosted the BBC cooking show alongside John Torode since 2005, was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on a different show last year. 

The BBC say that they have received allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with across a range of shows over 17 years. 

Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, a Celebrity Masterchef contestant in 2011, said he told 'sexualised' jokes during filming. But Wallace's lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour.

Wallace has previously denied making any sexual comments and Masterchef's production company, Banijay UK, say he is 'committed to fully cooperating throughout the process'.

The celebrity chef has not publicly addressed stepping down as of yet, but he was posting as normal this morning, telling his followers about his plans for the day.

He said he had woken up at 6am, had a shower and a coffee and went live on Instagram at 7am. 

Wallace said he had a management meeting at 8am before having breakfast and going to the gym and pool. 

Updating his followers as normal, he said he was then going for a walk in the garden and filming a promo clip for his ready meals.

As news broke that he would be stepping down, he said he would be having a tuna sandwich for lunch before having a 20 minute nap and a 30 minute read. 

He was also planning to do a coaching weight loss session before having dinner and going to bed at 8pm.

Wallace also shared a cooking video from his 'Gregg Wallace health' page, in which he was singing along and teaching his followers how to make prawn tacos with pineapple salsa.

And three days ago, he shared a portrait of his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 22 years younger than him, with the caption 'Anna'.

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BREAKING NEWS
Gregg Wallace steps down from MasterChef over allegations BBC star 'made inappropriate sexual jokes'

Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, which is currently on BBC One and featuring Wallace, will transmit as planned into December.

In a statement to the PA news agency, 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.

'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.'

Last month, The Sun revealed how Wallace was being probed by BBC bosses in 2018 after taking his top off and bragging about romps.

It followed a series of BBC scandals, including Huw Edwards' child sex crimes and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying saga.

Wallace admitted that he had made comments, but denied that they were sexual. 

He also emphasised that he loves his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, who he tied the knot with in 2016.

The TV star said: 'With reference to what's in the newspapers, these allegations were investigated by the BBC six years ago.

'The allegations were investigations six years ago and my comments were found to be not sexual.

'I repeat, not sexual. Thank you everybody for your time.

'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.'

Wallace has been accused of taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show' and talking about his sex life to others.

On one occasion he allegedly told a junior female colleague he wasn't wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.

The BBC claims that Wallace walked away from MasterChef today after BBC News sent a letter to his agent on Tuesday, setting out allegations from 13 people and giving him a right of reply. 

They say he was warned after a complaint was raised in 2018, but new historical claims emerged over the summer of 2024. 

The BBC has said it takes any issues that are raised with it 'seriously'.

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.'