I reported Gregg Wallace’s ‘groping’ to BBC 12 years ago – they knew then and known ever since, says Emma Kennedy

CELEBRITY MasterChef winner Emma Kennedy first reported Gregg Wallace’s behaviour 12 years ago.

The author yesterday revealed she complained in 2012 after witnessing his inappropriate conduct towards a woman working alongside the show.

In a powerful message she said: “They knew then. They knew before then and they’ve known since.”

Emma also said the PR team who worked for MasterChef were aware of Wallace’s “problem” behaviour and worried it was only a matter of time before it became public.

The BBC now faces serious questions about why it took so long to act.

Emma wrote: “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 a 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.

“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.”

Emma, 57, won the seventh series of the celebrity show with a menu of pan fried turbot and poached meringue in creme anglaise.

At the time, she described her victory as “up there in one of the all-time life achievements”.

Wallace hailed her cookery skills, saying she produced dishes “that are as good as many professionals — she is unbelievable”.

Emma yesterday said she had no problem with fellow MasterChef presenter John Torode, describing him as “absolutely lovely”.

Her comments sparked other claims about Wallace’s behaviour.

One woman wrote: “I was a contestant in 2009. Ever since, when a story would break about an unnamed BBC presenter who was being investigated for misconduct, I expected it to be him.”

Another said: “2018 contestant and yeah, when I came home I told my husband about the language and antics going on behind the scenes. So not appropriate.”

A third woman tweeted: “I was a contestant in 2014, the whole time he’d talk loudly about how he needed to trade in his wife for a younger model. Gross.”

Another woman, who met Wallace at an awards ceremony in 2011, wrote: “Told him I loved the show, to which he reacted by telling some guy what they could do to me. I was in such shock.

“I was disgusted and got out of there immediately. Sounds like I wasn’t alone. I’ve never been able to watch his shows without seeing his creepy smirk at his mate.”

And a man who met Wallace at an event in 2012 wrote: “I’ve refused to watch MC whilst he’s on it — witnessed his behaviour at an event he was a guest at. Appalling ­example of how ‘the system’ tends to protect predators and tries to discredit those that experience it — and that needs to change.”

When contacted by The Sun about Emma’s allegations, a BBC spokesman directed enquiries to production company Banijay, which makes MasterChef.

The Beeb previously said: “We are always clear any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.”

On Thursday Banijay said: “Our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions.”

And a No10 spokesman said: “It’s right a thorough investigation is conducted.”