Gregg Wallace to 'step away' from MasterChef amid allegations made by 13 people, including BBC presenter

TV presenter Gregg Wallace is temporarily leaving his role on MasterChef amid an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct. The BBC received complaints from individuals regarding Wallace's behaviour.

In response, the show's production company, Banijay UK, has launched an external review to thoroughly and impartially investigate the claims. A statement from 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."

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"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 emphasised its commitment to staff welfare, stating that expectations regarding behaviour are clearly communicated to cast and crew, with multiple channels for reporting concerns, including anonymously.

The company added that any incidents where these expectations are not met are thoroughly investigated and addressed. The statement concluded: "If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence."

According to the BBC, a letter to Wallace’s representatives was sent on Tuesday setting out allegations of inappropriate sexual comments to 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period. Among them is former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark.

Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, said he told "sexualised" jokes during filming. Wallace's lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.

A BBC spokesman 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.”