Gregg Wallace supported by BBC MasterChef co-star after stepping down from show

MasterChef host Monica Galetti has thrown her support behind colleague Gregg Wallace after it was revealed he was being investigated over sexual comments. It was announced the 60-year-old presenter had stepped down from the BBC show yesterday after nearly two decades following the announcement an investigation had been launched over historical allegations of misconduct.

He has been accused by 13 former co-workers, including former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, of making inappropriate sexual comments. Since the investigation was revealed, several celebrities have spoken out about Gregg's behaviour while on MasterChef, including Sir Rod Stewart and Ulrika Jonsson.

But Gregg has received support from New Zealand-born chef Monica, who judges on MasterChef: The Professionals. She liked his post as he broke his silence after the claims, which he has said are false, surfaced.

READ MORE: BBC MasterChef guest on Gregg Wallace and John Torode's 'strange' behaviour after cameras stopped

READ MORE: BBC MasterChef's John Torode says he and Gregg Wallace have 'never been friends'

Read more All of the celebs who have slammed Gregg Wallace and what they said

In the post, Gregg said: "I would like to thank all the people for getting in touch, reaching out, and sharing their support. That's good of you. Thank you very much."

Gregg continues to reject any claims of unseemly sexual comments reportedly made by him. He was said to be "committed to fully cooperating throughout the process" during the BBC's investigation, according to a statement from the show's production company Banijay UK 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."

It continued: "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 said it takes any issues that are raised with it "seriously" after it was announced 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 spokesperson for the BBC 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."