TV PROBE
MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace breaks silence on probe into ‘inappropriate comments’ insisting ‘I’m in love with my wife’
The TV star's future on the show has been under the microscope
MASTERCHEF's Gregg Wallace has broken his silence on an investigation into his behaviour towards a female BBC colleague.
The TV star spoke out today after The Sun revealed he was accused of making "inappropriate comments" on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities.
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It was claimed Gregg, 59, took off his top and bragged about romps with his wife Anna Sterpini.
The incident was unreported until an insider contacted The Sun after the BBC’s launch last week of a review into workplace culture.
A source told The Sun last night: “Gregg was accused of making inappropriate comments to a younger, female member of the production team.
“He is said to have been boasting about his sex life with his partner at the time. At one point, Gregg was also accused of taking his top off in front of the woman which felt inappropriate. Gregg appeared to think it was all just banter and is also said to have made some comments in front of the live audience.
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“The team working on the show were mortified and told BBC top brass what had happened.”
Speaking on Instagram Live on Monday, Gregg admitted he made comments but insisted that they were not of a sexual nature.
He told his followers: "With reference to what's in the newspapers, these allegations were investigated by the BBC six years ago.
"The allegations were investigations six years ago and my comments were found to be not sexual.
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"I repeat, not sexual. Thank you everybody for your time.
"I don't want anybody to misunderstand this and make it look like I was flirting with somebody. Nobody accused me of that and I never have."
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Speaking about his marriage to Anna, who is 22 younger, he said: "Something else that I feel very strongly about, strong enough to be on here, nobody six years ago or since has accused me of flirting with anybody or hitting on anybody.
"And that's important to me, and I say this for my wife Anna, who I've been true to and madly in love with since the day I met her."
Last year he was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on Inside The Factory.
At the time, he said he had quit as host of the BBC series to focus on his autistic son, Sid.
A source said: “There are questions to be asked about the decision to allow Gregg to continue on MasterChef despite these previous incidents.
“The BBC say they are keen to clear up issues around workplace culture but have allowed Gregg to remain on a flagship show despite allegations about his conduct.”
Wallace, who has been married four times, was ordered to change his behaviour after the complaint .
The source continued: "The BBC took immediate action and Gregg was called in to have a meeting with them.
"He made it clear that he didn’t mean anything by what he said but he was read the riot act and told to change his behaviour."
The latest allegations emerged after the BBC workplace review was announced last Friday.
It follows a series of scandals which have plagued the organisation in recent months.
They include the child sex photos disgrace of former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards and the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe.
In a statement, the BBC said it was aiming to crack down on “abuse of power”.
BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
“For most of us it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone.
He is said to have been boasting about his sex life with his partner at the time. At one point, Gregg was also accused of taking his top off in front of the woman which felt inappropriate
Sun source
“Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.
“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”
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On the latest allegations, a spokesman for the BBC said: “Whilst we do not comment on individuals, if issues are raised they are dealt with swiftly and appropriately at the time.
“We do not tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour and have robust processes in place.”
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