Gregg Wallace admits ‘I’m f****d’ as he tells pals he fears MasterChef will sack him after ‘grope’ probe

MASTERCHEF star Gregg Wallace has told friends he expects to be sacked following an investigation into his alleged sexual harassment and groping.

Several women have come forward about his behaviour, prompting the review.

Wallace has stopped using his pricey legal team as he resigns himself to the MasterChef sack.

The under-fire presenter has also turned down crisis-publicity teams in the weeks after several women complained he groped or harassed them.

The BBC1 show’s production firm Banijay UK launched a probe last month and Wallace, 60, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

But those close to him said he understood his position on MasterChef was no longer tenable.

A source said: “Gregg’s conceded he has lost everything. To put it bluntly, he’s told people, ‘I’m f***ed’.

“He came out swinging but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside.

“He has contested the sexual ­allegations and insisted any jokes he made were just jokes. He said he never meant to cause any offence.

“Gregg has been under a huge amount of pressure since the allegations came to light and tried his best to fight his corner.

“The BBC and Banijay UK have now spoken to a number of different individuals and they know they must be seen to take action.

“Gregg knows the time will come when he has to step aside and as much as that pains him, it seems he has come to terms with it.”

The Sun understands co-host John Torode, 59, will keep his role.

The Aussie has hosted alongside Wallace since 2005.

Insiders say a female star is likely to take Wallace’s place, with the new partnership to be announced in the New Year.

Work on the next series of Celebrity MasterChef is under way, with the BBC show’s talent booker already making calls to line up the next run of stars.

A second source said: “MasterChef is a juggernaut of a show and the wheels don’t stop turning.

“Not long after the probe into Gregg’s conduct, casting started for the celebrity series.

“While the probe is ongoing, it has been made clear to production that John is going to be staying and that a female will step into Gregg’s role.”

Search for replacements

Cooks including Angela Hartnett and Nigella Lawson have been named as possibles.

Monica Galetti, 49, who appears on MasterChef: The Professionals, has also been touted.

However, those close to Wallace said she would be unlikely to take the position.

This week, singer Sir Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster spoke out about working with Wallace on Celebrity Masterchef in 2021.

She claimed on Thursday: “I most definitely was witness — and victim — to some of the bullying and harassment behaviour of Gregg Wallace.

“And, unfortunately, a lot of those involved in the production team were also witness to that.”

She added: “I really feel that he used his position of power to, I believe, intimidate and cause distress to a lot of people on set.

“It’s unfortunate that someone like him is allowed to get away with that, while others sort of stand by and let it happen at the same time.”

At the start of this month, The Sun revealed how the BBC received complaints about Wallace’s behaviour from as early as 2014.

He was accused of making sexual remarks during his 2014 stint on Strictly Come Dancing when paired with pro Aliona Vilani.

The Sun also reported how John Torode repeatedly raised concerns about Wallace’s behaviour on MasterChef but no action was taken.

John publicly distanced himself from Gregg in 2017 and said in an interview they were no longer pals.

Since the latest allegations came to light, Wallace unfollowed John and his wife Lisa Faulkner on Instagram.

At the time, pals told us Gregg was upset John did not publicly back him amid the scandal.

Wallace Investigation

The Sun was the first publication to report concerns over Wallace’s conduct on MasterChef.

This October we revealed a ­complaint was made about his conduct on BBC gameshow Impossible Celebrities in 2018.

They included him “boasting about this sex life” and making “inappropriate sexual comments”.

It can be hard to come forward, but we want to assure everyone who does that we will treat anything raised with us with the greatest possible care.

Banijay UK

Then last month ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark and 13 other people came forward to say they had raised concerns.

Kirsty, 69, said she spoke to MasterChef after Wallace made “sexualised jokes” when she was on the show in 2011.

Other allegations include Wallace talking openly about his sex life, taking off his top in front of a junior staffer and telling another young colleague he was not wearing any pants.

One woman told The Sun Wallace was made to apologise after making a “joke” about rape in 2017.

Another alleged Wallace groped her when she appeared on MasterChef.

And Emma Kenny, the 2012 MasterChef winner, said she witnessed him touching another contestant and raised a complaint.

Banijay UK launched its inquiry and on November 28 confirmed to The Sun that Wallace was stepping away pending the review.

A BBC spokesperson later told The Sun: “In recent days there have been concerning allegations made about the alleged conduct of Gregg Wallace, many of which relate to shows made for the BBC.

“These media stories are running alongside an independent investigation, which was instigated after formal complaints were made direct to the BBC and referred to Banijay UK for further investigation.

“We’d like to thank those who have had the courage to speak out.

“It can be hard to come forward, but we want to assure everyone who does that we will treat anything raised with us with the greatest possible care.

"Banijay UK launched the review because they have the direct contractual relationship with Gregg Wallace. He is not employed by the BBC.

“When issues have been raised with the BBC we have taken action, referring issues to the ­relevant production company and challenging his behaviour directly as has been widely reported.

“We hope Banijay UK’s independent investigation can be concluded rigorously and as swiftly as ­possible.

"We want the review to follow due process and ensure fairness to all involved.”