Yahoo News Gregg Wallace called 'yellow teeth' by Rod Stewart amid fresh allegations
A look at the latest fallout from the Gregg Wallace allegations, including John Torode speaking out and ghostwriter's claims.
Gregg Wallace faces a storm of headlines this week; the MasterChef presenter was hit with fresh allegations about sexually inappropriate behaviour this week, that he denies.
On Friday, reports emerged that Sir Rod Stewart called Wallace "yellow teeth" in another outburst after enjoying a night at Claridges. Paps goaded the musician about whether he would be inviting Wallace to Christmas. "What, yellow teeth!" MailOnline reported the singer to have said after his evening out in Mayfair, London on Thursday.
When the investigation was first made public last week, Stewart blasted Wallace as a "tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully" for "humiliating" his wife Penny Lancaster on Instagram during her 2021 Celebrity MasterChef appearance.
Wallace is best known for hosting MasterChef, Celebrity Masterchef and MasterChef: The Professionals but now he has stepped aside from the franchise.
BBC went public with their investigation last week into allegations of sexually inappropriate jokes after receiving complaints from 13 people from different shows over a 17-year period, including former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark. Wallace's lawyers have said, "It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature".
John Torode's statement
John Torode has spoken out, having worked alongside Wallace since 2005, to say he will continue to work on MasterChef — a show that he "loves" — while the former greengrocer steps aside. The presenter said he had found the recent reports about the allegations "truly upsetting".
"The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear," he wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.
Ghostwriter claims
Late on Wednesday, ghostwriter Shannon Kyle claimed Wallace sexually harassed her while she was working on his 2012 autobiography Life On A Plate.
She alleged he touched her bottom during a TV appearance, in a separate incident she alleged he gave her "thigh a rub" every time he changed gears in his sports car and another time she claimed he dropped his towel in front of her when she arrived to work on the 2012 book.
A statement from Wallace’s lawyers to BBC News said: "Our client has denied that he has engaged in any such behaviour, and he specifically denies any sexual misconduct with Ms Kyle."
BBC reported fresh allegations on Tuesday night, with one woman saying he groped her bottom at an event and another claimed he pressed his crotch against her while filming Eat Well For Less in 2015.
It follows celebrities coming forward to speak out about Wallace's alleged behaviour, including Melanie Sykes who claimed an experience with him led her to quit her TV career.
MasterChef: The Professionals and Christmas specials
MasterChef: The Professionals has continued to air because the BBC said it is "life-changing" for the chefs who take part on the BBC show. The celebrity Christmas specials have been axed because the BBC said they are "a different type of show".
Celebrity Escape To The Country is reported to replace Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off on 23 December. An episode of The Repair Shop will air in the place of MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza on 30 December, according to The Sun.
Fury over 'middle class women of a certain age' remark
Wallace apologised for a remark that sparked outrage online and was branded "inappropriate and misogynistic" by No10 Downing Street. He has done a U-turn on calling his accusers "middle class women of a certain age" after his words backfired and prompted outrage.
After the weekend, he said in a video posted on Instagram: "I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people. I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it, I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it.
"It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out, now, while this investigation is under way I hope you understand and I do hope you will accept this apology."
