Paula London has said the BBC has “a lot of questions to answer” in the wake of misconduct allegations facing MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
Speaking on GB News, the showbiz reporter raised concerns about junior staff members potentially feeling unable to speak out.
“There are people above him, but a lot of junior runners of junior producers may feel like they weren’t able to speak out,” she said.
“Some people on the show, some are celebrities, but not that successful and some were civilians. Maybe they thought they had to just suck it up, as it were.”
Paula London says the BBC has ‘a lot of questions to answer’ in the wake of misconduct allegations facing Gregg Wallace
PA / GB NEWS
Wallace’s lawyers have firmly stated “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
London noted on GB News: “He’s said very smutty things, but he doesn’t think that what he said was in a harassing manner”.
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Paula London joined Martin Daubney on GB News
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“If you’ve been warned for your behaviour, I don’t know what defence you’ve got,” she added, highlighting his position as “co-host of a great show, a very popular show earning lots of money”.
Banijay UK, MasterChef’s production company, announced Wallace would be stepping away from his role while they conduct an “immediate, external review” into historical misconduct allegations.
Gregg Wallace has quit BBC MasterChef BBC
The production company confirmed they received complaints via the BBC regarding Wallace’s conduct on one of their 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,” the company stated.
Wallace has committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.
Former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have made claims about Wallace, alleging he told jokes of a “sexualised nature” during her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
Wark told the BBC these comments were made on two occasions in front of contestants and crew, stating they were “really, really in the wrong place”.
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”.
The allegations also include claims of Wallace “talking openly about his sex life” and “taking his top off in front of a female worker”.
Wallace took to Instagram on Thursday night to address the situation.
“I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support,” the presenter said in a video message.
The 60-year-old told The Mirror he was “fully cooperating” with the investigation but made no further comment.
Banijay UK emphasised their duty of care to staff remains a priority, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, promoted on set.