Gregg Wallace Accused of ‘Exposing Himself’ and Inappropriate Behavior Towards Women

TV star Gregg Wallace, who stepped away from his role as co-host of BBC’s MasterChef last week, is facing multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women. The claims span nearly two decades and involve incidents from various shows he has worked on.

Fresh allegations surfaced this week, with one woman accusing Wallace of touching her bottom during an event, while another claimed he pressed his crotch against her during filming for Eat Well for Less in 2015.

A third woman alleged that Wallace had his trousers partially lowered during a separate incident in his dressing room while she helped him fix his bow tie.

BBC News reported the 2015 supermarket incident, where Wallace allegedly pressed against a female colleague, laughing and saying, “Oooh, you liked that, didn’t you?” The woman, identified as “Lisa,” said the encounter left her feeling “slimy and disgusting.”

Another woman, “Anna,” who worked on MasterChef, described being called into Wallace’s dressing room to adjust his bow tie. She alleged that his trousers were partially lowered, exposing his pubic hair and the top of his penis. “It felt like a power play,” she said, adding that she was shocked and embarrassed. Although producers offered to escalate the matter, she declined, saying she didn’t want to jeopardise her early career.

A more recent incident in 2022 involved Wallace allegedly groping a woman during a group hug in a lift. The woman, “Sarah,” said the experience was “gross and horrible” and left her unable to watch him on television.

Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, confirmed an external investigation into the allegations. They emphasise their commitment to creating a safe workplace and state that multiple ways to report issues, including anonymously, are available to all crew and contributors.

The BBC also responded, reaffirming that it takes such allegations seriously and shares complaints with production companies when external contractors are involved. They added that prior interventions in 2017 and 2018 indicated steps had been taken in the past to address Wallace’s alleged behaviour.

Following Wallace’s decision to step away from MasterChef, the BBC removed two Christmas specials, Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and Strictly Festive Extravaganza, from their festive programming. While other MasterChef episodes will continue to air, BBC Two repeats of Inside the Factory featuring Wallace have also been removed.

Wallace issued an apology earlier this week after initially dismissing the allegations as complaints from “middle-class women of a certain age.” He admitted he was under “immense stress” and said he needed time away.

In a video posted on Instagram, Wallace said, “I want to apologise for any offence I caused with my post yesterday. I wasn’t in a good headspace. I felt very alone and under siege when I posted it. I hope you understand and accept this apology.”

The ongoing investigation, triggered by complaints from 13 individuals over 17 years, has drawn national attention. Downing Street weighed in on the controversy, describing Wallace’s initial response as “misogynistic” and backing the need for a thorough review. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also discussed the allegations with BBC executives.

As Wallace steps back from his television career, the allegations highlight broader issues of workplace harassment in the entertainment industry. While he denies the accusations, saying they are “entirely false,” the mounting claims have cast a long shadow over his reputation.

The investigation continues, with more voices coming forward to share their experiences. Meanwhile, the BBC and Banijay UK stress their commitment to ensuring such behaviour is addressed and prevented in the future.