MasterChef UK star Gregg Wallace is set to “step away” from the hit BBC cooking show it has been reported, following historical misconduct allegations.
BBC News recently launched an investigation and Wallace will be stepping away while a review takes place, a statement read, adding that he is “fully co-operating throughout the process”.
As BBC News reports, Wallace, 60, who is married, is facing “allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people” from his time working on different shows over 17 years.
Wallace, who has been a judge on the cooking show since 2005, allegedly told “sexualised” jokes during filming, according to former contestant and broadcaster Kirsty Wark.
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His lawyers have reportedly denied the allegations and said they’re ”false”.
It’s alleged he talked openly about his sex life on one show.
British production company Banijay UK said in a statement about the historical allegations according to BBC News: ”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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They added in part of the statement that they have a “duty of care to staff” and said: “While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.”
This week, Wallace spoke out in a short Instagram video shared with his almost 200,000 followers, saying: ”I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support.”
”That’s good of you, thank you very much.”
In the comments, which were left on, some followers showed their support for Wallace, while one said there was “no smoke without fire”.
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Singer Rod Stewart publicly hit out at Wallace in an Instagram statement, saying in part: ‘’Good riddance Wallace.”
“You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya,” he claimed.
The Telegraph also previously commenced an investigation into the alleged misconduct after a woman spoke to the publication and reportedly formally contacted the BBC.
9honey has contacted Wallace for comment, in relation to this article.
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