Gregg Wallace allegations 'truly upsetting', says MasterChef co-host John Torode

Wednesday, 4 December 2024 17:53

MasterChef presenter John Torode has said he has found the recent reports about co-host Gregg Wallace "truly upsetting".

The pair have presented the BBC One cooking show together for almost 20 years, since 2005.

In his first comments since the allegations surfaced, Torode said he would continue to be part of the programme, adding: "The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, and I have found the recent press reports truly upsetting."

Wallace is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from more than a dozen people across a range of shows over a 17-year period. His lawyers have previously strongly denied "he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", according to BBC News.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Torode said he had been away filming MasterChef overseas since last Friday.

"I love my job, and I love MasterChef," he said. "I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it.

"During the last few days, I've been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard."

Torode said he "fully" supports the current investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour, but could not comment further while it is ongoing.

"I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward," he added.

Torode rose to TV fame in the mid-1990s as the resident chef on ITV's This Morning and joined the revamped version of MasterChef when it launched in 2005. The show, initially called MasterChef Goes Large, followed the original series, which was hosted by Lloyd Grossman from 1990 to 2001.

On Tuesday, the BBC confirmed it was removing two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials from the schedule following the allegations about Wallace. However, the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is airing as planned.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said it took the decision as the series can be "life-changing" for the chefs taking part, but the "Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show".

Read more:
What are the allegations - and what has Wallace said?
'Middle-aged women': An epic failure in crisis management

Wallace has temporarily stepped down from the cooking show while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by producers Banijay UK.

The BBC has also pulled three repeat episodes of Inside The Factory from the Christmas schedule.

Sky News can confirm the broadcaster was alerted to Wallace's "unacceptable" behaviour while filming the series more than a year and a half ago, with a memo shared with staff at the Nestle factory in York showing concerns were raised after his final visit in February 2023.

More allegations have surfaced against the presenter this week - with two women claiming he had inappropriately touched them.

One told the BBC he "groped" her bottom, while another alleged he laughed after touching her bottom "with his waist and penis" when brushing past her. A third claimed Wallace's penis was partially exposed in his dressing room in what she felt was a "power play".

The Guardian also reported a complaint that he once asked a sign language interpreter to translate "big boobs" and "sexy bum" in front of the audience at the BBC Good Food Show.

Earlier, one former contestant told Sky News that a remark Wallace made when she returned as a guest judge left her crying in the toilets.

Another described the allegations as the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to the show - claiming he witnessed a "toxic environment" on set and the problem was "larger" than just the presenter.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Wallace for comment on the allegations against him.

At the weekend, he shared a video dismissing the initial claims, putting them down to "middle-class women of a certain age".

He later posted another clip apologising for the remarks.

What have the BBC and producers said?

A spokesperson for Banijay UK, which has appointed a law firm to lead its investigation, has said the company takes complaints "incredibly seriously" but will not comment on individual allegations while the external investigation is ongoing.

"It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors," the spokesperson said.

"These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously."

In response to reports multiple complaints had been raised with the BBC, a source for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, but that it would be "wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us - not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken".

Last week, a BBC spokesperson said any issues raised are taken seriously and there are "robust processes in place" to deal with them.

"We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated," they said.

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Gregg Wallace allegations 'truly upsetting', says MasterChef co-host John Torode

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Gregg Wallace allegations 'truly upsetting', says MasterChef co-host John Torode

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