Gregg Wallace accusers criticise his response to allegations
3 min read
Two of Gregg Wallace’s accusers have criticized his recent comments about allegations of historical misconduct, accusing the TV presenter of downplaying the accusations and failing to take responsibility for his actions. The backlash follows Wallace’s response in a video posted to Instagram, in which he dismissed the complaints as coming from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.”
Wallace, 60, who has been a host on MasterChef for over 20 years, addressed the allegations by stating that out of more than 4,000 contestants he had worked with, there had been only “13 complaints.” He added that these complaints appeared to come from a small group of women who had appeared on Celebrity MasterChef. Wallace’s comments were immediately met with criticism, with some accusing him of failing to understand the seriousness of the allegations.
One of his accusers, who is referred to as Anna (a pseudonym), reacted to the video by saying she was “not surprised” that Wallace tried to minimize the complaints. She expressed disappointment that he had not learned from the situation and questioned whether any real consequences would be imposed by the BBC or MasterChef‘s production company, Banijay UK. Anna called for Wallace to reflect on his behavior rather than deflect attention with comments on social media.
Another accuser, James (also not his real name), suggested that Wallace’s statement implied he was positioning himself as a victim of classism. James argued that Wallace’s behavior, often described as boundary-testing humor, was aimed at making others uncomfortable, particularly women, and displaying his power in the room. He pointed out that many men were also offended by Wallace’s behavior but were less likely to speak out. James also criticized Wallace for dismissing the complaints based on class and age.
A third woman, who had previously worked with Wallace but was not involved in the investigation, called his video response “dismissive,” especially towards younger women who had come forward. She said that the focus on class and age was irrelevant to the issue at hand. Actress Emma Kennedy, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2012, echoed these sentiments, stating that it didn’t matter how old or what class the women were; what mattered was the inappropriate behavior Wallace had exhibited.
Wallace’s comments have also attracted criticism from others in the entertainment industry. TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp shared her experience of feeling “embarrassed” after Wallace made an inappropriate comment about her and her partner during an encounter years ago. She called Wallace’s latest remarks “unacceptable,” adding that playing the “class issue” card was an excuse for bad behavior.
The controversy intensified after a BBC News investigation revealed multiple allegations against Wallace, spanning a 17-year period and involving 13 individuals. Some of these claims relate to incidents that occurred after 2017, when radio host Aasmah Mir first raised concerns with Banijay UK about inappropriate comments Wallace made during filming. Mir later took her complaint to the BBC, and BBC executive Kate Phillips acknowledged that Wallace’s behavior was “unacceptable and cannot continue.” Wallace was reportedly given a 90-minute talk about his behavior following the complaint.
In response to the allegations, Banijay UK announced Wallace would step aside from presenting MasterChef while an investigation takes place. Wallace has expressed his commitment to cooperating with the process. A law firm, Lewis Silkin, has been appointed to lead the inquiry into the claims.
The allegations against Wallace are part of broader questions about how broadcasters and production companies handle claims of misconduct. The BBC has said it would be wrong to claim that no action has been taken, emphasizing the need for caution in discussing the involvement of staff members. However, it was reported that a letter containing multiple claims against Wallace was sent to the BBC in 2022, yet it did not lead to an immediate investigation.
The controversy surrounding Wallace underscores the growing scrutiny faced by public figures in the entertainment industry over allegations of inappropriate behavior. As the investigation continues, questions remain about whether enough has been done to address these claims and ensure accountability. Wallace’s response to the allegations will likely play a crucial role in determining the next steps for both his career and the public perception of his actions.
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