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MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has publicly apologised after suggesting that allegations against him were made by “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.” In a video posted on Monday, he offered apologies for any offence caused and acknowledged that he needed to step back during the ongoing investigation. Wallace had previously stated that an investigation into allegations of inappropriate comments against him had originated from “13 complaints” from “over 4,000 contestants” he had worked with over a two-decade span. However, despite admitting to under pressure, he denied any allegations of sexually harassing nature.
The accusations came to light following a BBC News investigation, which saw thirteen people, ranging in age and working across five different programmes, raise allegations against the presenter. Despite the protestations of some of his accusers, the ongoing series of MasterChef, which has been a staple of the BBC schedule for more than a decade, will go ahead. The spokesman for the BBC stated that the show is more about the contestants than any one individual and is life-changing for the chefs who take part.
Wallace’s comments have also raised wider questions about how the BBC handles allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Speaking on Monday, a Downing Street spokesman described the television personality’s comments as “inappropriate and misogynistic,” leading to more speculation about how seriously the BBC views complaints of this kind.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also held talks with BBC bosses on the matter, following previous warnings that the broadcaster must deliver clear and timely recommendations in order to regain the trust of the public. Meanwhile, Banijay UK, the company behind MasterChef, is carrying out its own investigation, to which Wallace is said to be cooperating. The allegations made against Wallace underline the mounting pressure faced by the BBC to address the culture of inappropriate behaviour and attitudes that have been alleged by some members of staff and contributors over recent years.
As yet, Wallace has not responded to requests for an interview from BBC News. The BBC is currently conducting an independent review into workplace culture issues and is expected to report its findings in the near future. The revelations about Gregg Wallace have only added to the ongoing debates that point to the urgent need for change within the broadcaster
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