Gregg Wallace quits MasterChef amid BBC probe into misconduct claims

TV host Gregg Wallace will be taking a break from his role on MasterChef following complaints to the BBC about past allegations of misconduct. The 60 year old presenter is "committed to fully cooperating throughout the process", according to a statement from Banijay UK, the show's production company, given to the PA news agency.

The statement read: "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 BBC has stressed its commitment to addressing complaints seriously as it is revealed Gregg Wallace will temporarily step back from his role on MasterChef. This follows reports of historical allegations being investigated against him, reports the Mirror.

A spokesperson for the corporation stated: "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."

Last month's claims indicated Wallace was probed over alleged inappropriate remarks made to a female colleague at the BBC. Addressing the accusation on Instagram, Wallace insisted his remarks were not sexual, saying: "With reference to what's in the newspapers, these allegations were investigated by the BBC six years ago - and my comments were found to be not sexual. I repeat not sexual. Thank you for your time."

He continued, emphasizing his personal principles: "Something else that I feel very strongly about, strong enough to be on here, nobody six years ago or since has accused me of flirting with anybody or hitting on anybody. And that's important to me, and I say this for my wife Anna, who I've been true to and madly in love with since the day I met her."

"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."

Lisa Faulkner, who is wed to Wallace's MasterChef colleague John Torode, has alleged that he would engage in off-colour banter behind-the-scenes. In a moment during their promotional stint for their new book at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, where she appeared with John, Lisa shared her thoughts about her time on the show back in 2010.

She recalled: "Gregg was telling - I'm probably not allowed to say this. Gregg just told rude joke after rude joke to the crew. You're just sitting there and if you're on the front bench just chopping away thinking, 'I've got ten minutes left,' and he's saying, 'So this girl walked into a bar...' And I'm going, 'Please I don't want to hear this joke'."

Yet, John has countered by stating: "It's changed quite a lot really."