WALLACE AND STOP IT
Gregg Wallace’s shocking comments about flirting at work resurface as he’s probed over ‘inappropriate’ comments
Last night Gregg released a statement denying gross misconduct
NOW that the probe into inappropriate comments made by BBC Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace have come to light, the 59-year-old’s conduct is under the microscope.
AT the weekend it emerged that the presenter has been probed over some unsavory sexual comments he made to a BBC staff member in 2018.
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It was also revealed that he was given a ticking off by bosses for taking his top off and bragging about his sex life.
But now more unseemly comments have been unearthed from a former interview from 2020, where Gregg admitted that he enjoys the unregulated nature of social media, to facilitate his amorous intentions.
Gregg who met his wife Anne-Marie on Twitter back in 2013, told Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question time:
"You can't chat anyone up at work because the HR department would sack you. What I like about Twitter is that it is not a dating site. You can just have friendly chats with people.”
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After three years of dating Gregg and Anne-Marie, who is 22 years his junior, tied the knot at Hever Castle in 2016 and now live together with their son Sid and Anna’s parents in Kent.
Following the news of the probe, the Masterchef host filmed himself making a statement from home.
He said: “The story that’s hitting the newspapers, this was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC and the outcome of that was that I hadn't said anything sexual.
I'll need to repeat this again. I didn't say anything sexual. Thank you for your time."
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He then posted a second video in which he claimed: "Despite what the newspapers are suggesting, nobody six years ago accused me of flirting with anybody or hitting on anybody.
"And the reason I say this is because of my wife, Anna [Sterpini].
"I have always been true to my wife Anna, and have never flirted or hit on anybody in the 12 years that I met her and fell in love with her."
Wallace continued: "It's important that so that people don't misunderstand. I am true to my wife."
Insiders told The Sun concerns were raised about his behaviour six years ago — when he was accused of making “inappropriate sexual comments” to a female staffer on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities.
He was hauled into a meeting after claims he boasted about his sex life and took his top off in front of the woman, “mortifying” members of the production team.
Wallace was then hit by allegations last year that he spoke to women in a “derogatory” manner while filming BBC’s Inside The Factory.
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.”
The 2018 incident was unreported until an insider contacted The Sun after the BBC’s launch last week of a review into workplace culture, with a vow to tackle “abusive behaviour”.
Wallace was reported to BBC chiefs for making “consistent inappropriate comments” to the younger woman while they worked on , a panel show.
They also claimed that audience members allegedly overheard comments made by Wallace, who said it was “just banter”.
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.
“The team working on the show were mortified and told BBC top brass what had happened.”
Despite these incidents, Wallace continued to host MasterChef with John Torode.
The pair have fronted the popular cooking competition since 2005.
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.
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In a statement, the BBC said it was aiming to crack down on “abuse of power”.
BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasize enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
Gregg Wallace's statement
“The story that’s hitting the newspapers, this was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC and the outcome of that was that I hadn't said anything sexual.
I'll need to repeat this again. I didn't say anything sexual. Thank you for your time."
"Despite what the newspapers are suggesting, nobody six years ago accused me of flirting with anybody or hitting on anybody.
"And the reason I say this is because of my wife, Anna [Sterpini].
"I have always been true to my wife Anna, and have never flirted or hit on anybody in the 12 years that I met her and fell in love with her."
"It's important that so that people don't misunderstand. I am true to my wife."
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