I watched Gregg Wallace feel up a photographer’s BUM on MasterChef set in 2012 – nothing was done, BBC star claims
GREGG Wallace felt up a photographer’s bum on the set of MasterChef back in 2012, a BBC star has claimed.
Wallace’s career is hanging by a thread after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
The BBC confirmed that 13 people who worked with Wallace across a range of shows over a 17-year period have accused him of making sexual comments – but Gregg strongly denies all of the allegations.
Now, writer and actress Emma Kennedy – who was crowned the winner of Celebrity MasterChef in 2012 – has made another shocking allegation about Wallace.
The 57-year-old accused Wallace of feeling up a young assistant’s bum on set.
And she said that nothing was done after informing production of the alleged “inappropriate behaviour”.
It comes as…
- Gregg Wallace has 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
- Gregg breaks his silence – thanking fans for showing their support
Emma wrote on Threads: “For the record, I complained about behaviour I witnessed on Masterchef in 2012. They knew then. They knew before then and they’ve known since.
“I was in studio for a round of photographs to be taken of finalists that year. The photographer had a young female assistant.
“At one point she bent over to deal with equipment and GW took this as an opportunity to feel her arse. I told him it was inappropriate, I informed production.”
She continued: “Later, after we had finished that series, we all went to the Good Food show.
“I had a lengthy conversation with a member of the PR team on MC and the only topic of conversation was ‘when the problem with GW was going to come to light’. This was in 2012.
“I would also add John Torode is absolutely lovely and I adored him.”
The Sun revealed how Gregg, 60, previously came under fire after “inappropriate sexual comments” were reportedly made to a female BBC staffer on Impossible Celebrities.
BBC News confirmed they launched a probe into Gregg in the summer after claims were made regarding five shows between 2005 to 2022.
In a statement on Instagram, Gregg said: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reach out and showing their support.
“That’s good of you, thank you very much.”
Wallace’s lawyers say it is “entirely false” that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour.
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”.
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.
One woman accused him of cracking a joke about rape during filming for MasterChef in 2017.
She said: “Gregg was accused of using inappropriate language while the cameras were on.
“He was also accused of making a joke about rape and someone raised a complaint.
“Gregg was then told to apologise about what he’d said. It was incredibly awkward and then it just moved on and no one talked about it again.”
It was also claimed last night that Wallace wandered naked into the MasterChef studio with a sock pulled over his privates.
Banijay UK, which makes the hit BBC cooking show, said it was carrying out “an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate”.
A spokesperson 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.”
A BBC spokesman added: “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.”
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Gregg will still be shown as planned despite the development.
Wallace’s representatives have been contacted for comment by The Sun.