Gregg Wallace, co-host of the wildly popular BBC show MasterChef, has been asked to step down from the role while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated.
Production company Banijay U.K. said the 60-year-old is co-operating with the internal investigation after BBC News reported accusations that Wallace made inappropriate sexual comments to co-workers over a 17-year period came from 13 different people.
One of those includes broadcaster Kirsty Wark, a U.K. Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011. She said that on two occasions, the presenter made jokes of a “sexualized nature” in front of cast and crew.
Wallace’s lawyers have said the accusations that he behaves in this nature are entirely false. His rep did not immediately respond to comment from The Hollywood Reporter.
The TV host is a household name in Britain having appeared alongside fellow presenter John Torode in MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC One and BBC Two. He has written regularly for Good Food, Now and Olive magazines.
Other allegations the BBC detailed about Wallace include talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to “give her a fashion show”, and telling a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any underwear.
Banijay U.K. said: “Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay U.K., we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate… While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.
The company continued: “Banijay U.K.’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set. Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
It’s the latest in a string of unwanted attention for the BBC after misconduct complaints arose on Strictly Come Dancing and former broadcaster Huw Edwards was found guilty of making indecent images of children.
“We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them,” a BBC spokesperson said. “We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated. Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”