Outrage as BBC bosses keep Gregg Wallace on TV & refuse to pull MasterChef Xmas specials as six more 'victims' emerge

12/02/2024 05:00 PM

BBC bosses defied MPs by showing Gregg Wallace on MasterChef tonight and refusing to pull Christmas specials.

The host apologised for crass comments about women who complained over his conduct — as six new "victims" emerged.

It justified airing the semi-final of MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC One tonight because it was "life-changing" for the competitors.

But critics say that does not apply to festive specials featuring celebrities — with under-fire Wallace, 60, grinning in Christmas jumpers on the promotional pics.

As the BBC faced yet another scandal, one former minister called for "wholesale change" — while it emerged the Culture Secretary had held talks with the corporation about its workplace culture.

No 10 also slammed Wallace over his "misogynistic" comments.

It comes as a former MasterChef staffer — who worked on the show from 2007 to 2010 — told The Sun she knew of at least six production members who raised concerns about Wallace's conduct.

They said: "I heard from five female colleagues that they had issues with Gregg, including comments he made which weren't appropriate for a workplace. There was a male staffer too who raised an issue about the language Gregg used when speaking to him.

"Nothing ever seemed to be done to properly address it.

"It was like the worst-kept secret in the TV industry."

Wallace last week stepped down from the show he has hosted since 2005 after multiple complaints emerged, including accusations of inappropriate behaviour and sexualised comments.

He has since faced a furious backlash, and sources close to him say he is upset that co-host John Torode, 59, has not publicly backed him.

Wallace has unfollowed Torode and his wife Lisa Faulkner on Instagram in a public show of annoyance.

A source said: "Gregg is convinced he has done nothing wrong — and seeing John keeping quiet has irked him hugely. They've been colleagues for almost two decades and, while they aren't the closest of friends, Gregg feels he could say something."

Airing it could be triggering for women involved

Labour MP Rupa Huq

Wallace, under investigation by MasterChef producers Banijay UK, is scheduled to appear on the BBC several times this Christmas.

He was seen hosting the pre- recorded "Professionals" semi last night alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. As it got under way, he said: "This is culinary combat."

There are more episodes tonight and Thursday before three finals shows next week.

Two episodes of MasterChef's Christmas Cook Off are then set to air the following week, featuring a host of stars.

Labour MP Rupa Huq — who sits on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee — yesterday led calls for the BBC to pull all the episodes from the schedules.

She said: "There is an argument for pausing while this investigation takes its course, and maybe not airing it. It could be massively triggering for the women involved — in fact, any woman involved in any type of similar incident."

Clearly wholesale culture change is needed

Ex-Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan

Former Tory Culture Minister Damian Collins yesterday told The Sun: "It is concerning that this is another example of complaints against a high-profile star not being investigated properly by the BBC. I don't believe he should appear on the BBC until this has been investigated and a decision of further action taken."

Ex-Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan added: "It is just the latest test for the whole BBC system. The lack of curiosity and follow-up to complaints made is depressing and unsurprising and clearly wholesale culture change is needed."

No 10 also slammed Wallace for his controversial comments on Sunday, when he said all the complaints came from "middle-class women of a certain age".

The PM's official spokesman said yesterday: "The Culture Secretary spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues to seek assurances there are robust processes in place to deal with complaints. Clearly the comments we have seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic.

"More broadly the BBC is conducting an independent review into workplace culture which must deliver clear and timely recommendations. It's essential that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BBC takes these issues seriously."

TV workers' union Bectu said the BBC's handling of complaints against Wallace was "deeply troubling".

He faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period — with others coming forward since the scandal broke last Thursday.

He has been accused of taking his top off in front of a female worker and telling another female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.

Wallace has denied any behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.

Bectu chief Philippa Childs said: "Reports that the BBC previously internally investigated complaints about Wallace and concluded that aspects of his behaviour were unacceptable are deeply troubling.

"Is it any wonder that film and TV freelancers, many of them worrying about their next job, think twice about sticking their head above the parapet?"

TV presenter Aggie MacKenzie, 69, said yesterday that Wallace's jokes were "always smutty, they were endless" when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

She added: "It was as if Gregg was some sort of dinosaur who just can't read the room, and seemed to be allowed to carry on in this way. He has no insight or understanding of how he behaves."

The BBC last night confirmed that all filmed episodes of MasterChef would be screened, including the Christmas shows.

A spokesman said: "MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual."

The Beeb added: "We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them."

Banijay UK said: "MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors."