The ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct levelled at Gregg Wallace was brushed aside and labelled as merely “noise and headlines” on Thursday’s Morning Live.
Presenter Jacqui Joseph was co-hosting the Beeb’s daytime show alongside Gordon Smart and during the instalment, they spoke to this year’s finalists of MasterChef: The Professionals.
Dan Merriman and George Birtwell were in the studio with Joseph in Smart while Chiara Tomasoni beamed in via video link as the trio delved into their time on the show and the upcoming finale.
The BBC decided to keep MasterChef: The Professionals on the air for the remainder of its run after the investigation into Wallace’s conduct was launched but it has shelved two Christmas specials.
Wallace’s lawyers say it is “entirely false” that he engaged in sexually harassing behaviour. Meanwhile, multiple women have come forward with specific allegations against Wallace.
On Thursday, rather than addressing the saga engulfing MasterChef: The Professionals and the cooking competition’s future on the air, Joseph opted to brush over the scandal.
BBC MasterChef: The Professionals stars appeared on Morning Live
BBC
She told viewers: “As you may have noticed there’s been a lot of noise and headlines over the last few weeks…
“But as the latest series reaches its climax we’re focusing not on any of that but on the competition itself.”
Smart then chipped in to introduce the three finalists onto the show where their discussion centred very much around their cooking and their time in the kitchen.
Wallace stepped down from presenting MasterChef last month while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated by the show’s production company.
BBC MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace has stepped back from the show
BBC
BBC News revealed allegations from 13 people who worked with Wallace across various shows over a 17-year period.
Among the accusers is broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. She claims Wallace told “sexualised” jokes during filming that left people feeling “uncomfortable”.
Former BBC contestant Aasmah Mir claimed to Good Morning Britain that Wallace made derogatory comments about her being a “sexy *****” during filming in 2017.
Other allegations include Wallace talking openly about his sex life, showing topless pictures to a female worker, and requesting massages.
A former Channel 5 worker claims he inappropriately questioned her about dating women.
Wallace responded to the allegations in an Instagram video, claiming the complaints came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” among 4,000 contestants he had worked with.
His comments drew criticism from accusers, with one saying he “clearly hasn’t learnt his lesson”. Another accuser rejected Wallace’s class-based defence, stating his behaviour was about “testing boundaries” and “displaying power”.
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp called his response “unacceptable”, saying he was wrongly framing it as a class issue.
Banijay UK announced it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead an “immediate, external review” into the allegations.
The production company said Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process”.
A BBC spokesperson said they take any issues raised “seriously” and have “robust processes” in place to deal with them.
The BBC added that behaviour falling below expected standards “will not be tolerated”.
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BBC News revealed Wallace had previously been warned after a complaint in 2018 about his behaviour on Impossible Celebrities.
Two women reported he talked openly about his sex life to staff, with one describing his sexual jokes as “disgusting”.
A formal HR investigation concluded his behaviour was “unacceptable and unprofessional”.
The BBC held a 90-minute meeting with Wallace afterwards to address the issue and promised action to prevent reoccurrence.
