Gregg Wallace WAS forced to quit BBC MasterChef job amid misconduct probe

GREGG Wallace WAS forced to quit his MasterChef job amid the BBC’s misconduct probe.

TV chef Gregg, 60, allegedly made sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb presenter Kirsty Wark – as the star today stepped down from his judging role.

The Sun revealed how he previously came under fire after “inappropriate sexual comments” were reportedly made to a female staffer on Impossible Celebrities.

It comes as…

• Gregg Wallace has today stepped down from MasterChef
• Star faces probe after allegedly making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues
• BBC Newsnight presenter and 2011 contestant Kirsty Wark says Wallace told ‘sexualised’ jokes while filming
• Gregg accused of talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a young staffer staffer and telling another he wasn’t wearing any pants
• Previous MasterChef episodes presented by scandal-hit Gregg still on iPlayer
• MasterChef star Aasmah Mir shares cryptic ‘always keep your receipts’ post
• BBC will still air two Masterchef festive specials this Christmas – despite both being fronted by Gregg Wallace

Since then, 13 people who worked with Gregg across a range of shows over a 17-year period have now accused him of making sexual comments, the BBC confirmed today.

We’ve now been told he was left with little choice but to step down pending the outcome of the investigation.

A source told The Sun: “He had to jump before he was pushed.

“There’s no way he could continue to work on the show while the probe happened.

“Gregg knew it was the right thing to do – there was no option.”

Among the complainants is BBC Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who said he told “sexualised” jokes during filming on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

The broadcaster told how she feels strongly that the comments were “really, really in the wrong place”.

Times Radio presenter and 2017 Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir today posted a cryptic message after the news broke, saying: “Always keep your receipts.”

Other allegations include Gregg talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a junior staffer and telling another young colleague he wasn’t wearing any pants.

BBC News today confirmed they launched a probe into Gregg in the summer after claims were made regarding five shows between 2005 to 2022.

Gregg’s lawyers have branded the latest claims as false but the MasterChef host has stepped away from the hit cooking series while a separate investigation is carried out.

MasterChef production company Banijay UK said complaints have been made this week in relation to “historical allegations” of misconduct while on the show.

The company has now launched its own “immediate, external review” into his so-called behaviour.

Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Gregg will still be shown as planned despite the development.

The company said: “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 Sun told how the Gregg first landed himself in hot water with BBC bosses in 2018 for taking off his top and bragging about romps.

He was hauled into a meeting accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female staffer on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities.

Then in 2023, he was accused of being rude to women while working on BBC’s Inside The Factory.

It follows a series of scandals that had plagued the organisation – including Huw Edwards‘ child sex crimes and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe.

After the complaints were raised, Gregg admitted he had made comments but denied they were sexual.

He also emphasised that he loved his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, who he wed 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.”

Gregg has presented MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005 and also hosts spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

He was also the original presenter of Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has featured on Eat Well For Less and Supermarket Secrets.

Gregg took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.

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.”