MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace is facing mounting criticism after dismissing complaints about his behaviour as coming from “middle-class women of a certain age”.
The 60-year-old TV host’s comments, made in a defensive Instagram video, have sparked fierce backlash from prominent figures including Labour MP Diane Abbott and television presenter Kirstie Allsopp.
The controversy follows an investigation by the Telegraph and BBC revealing allegations from 13 people spanning a 17-year period, which Wallace’s lawyers maintain are untrue.
During a video he posted to his Instagram story, Wallace addressed the accusations by highlighting his extensive career.
“I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years. Amateur, Celebrity and Professional MasterChef. And in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants,” he stated.
The presenter then specifically targeted his critics: “In the newspaper, I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.”
Gregg Wallace stepped away from the BBC last week
BBC
Wallace also questioned how many female contestants had made “sexual remarks or sexual innuendo” during his tenure.
Diane Abbott strongly criticised Wallace’s remarks during an appearance on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
“It’s not a crime to be a middle-class woman over a certain age,” she stated. “Gregg doesn’t get it. The world has moved on.”
The Labour MP continued: “Back in the day he could harass women, and it was about power, really. Women weren’t in a position to say anything or do anything.”
BBC host and stand-in Victoria Derbyshire interjected to clarify that through his lawyers, Wallace had denied engaging in any sexually harassing behaviour.
Television presenter Kirstie Allsopp has shared her own uncomfortable encounter with Wallace, describing an incident that occurred during their first meeting.
“Within 1hr of meeting Gregg Wallace he told me of a sex act that he and his partner at the time enjoyed ‘every morning’,” Allsopp posted on X.
She added: “Did he get off on how embarrassed I was? It was totally unprofessional… I’m a #MiddleClassWomanOfaCertainAge.”
Responding to Wallace’s defenders, Allsopp challenged: “Ask if they think it’s OK for you/their partner to make a comment about your bedroom activities to a woman you/they have just met at work.”
Former MP Anna Soubry joined the criticism of Wallace’s comments, posting on X: “‘It’s yer ‘ormones luv’ Gregg 2gs Wallace proving he’s not an odious misogynist.” (sic)
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John Torode has claimed the pair to not speak outside of the show
BBC
Wallace has strongly denied the accusations through his lawyers, insisting he has never received complaints from staff across his various TV shows including Inside the Factory and Eat Well for Less?
The BBC star initially broke his silence on the matter last Thursday and posted a video to his Instagram account where he simply said: “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.”