Definitive inside story of Gregg Wallace scandal revealed by KATIE HIND. How TV bosses and attack dog lawyers tried to protect TV chef… and then the charges became impossible to ignore

As I delve into the tumultuous life and career of Gregg Wallace, I can’t help but feel a strange mix of empathy and bewilderment. On one hand, it’s impossible not to admire his meteoric rise from humble beginnings as a market trader to becoming one of Britain’s most recognizable television personalities. His journey is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and a bit of luck.

For almost two decades, the beloved cooking program MasterChef on BBC, hosted by the charming and candid duo of Gregg Wallace and John Torode, has captivated audiences with its wholesome, warm, humorous atmosphere, not to mention its irresistible culinary offerings.

Fans are likely disappointed as Wallace, once a lively greengrocer, unexpectedly resigned following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior on set that spanned over 17 years and five different programs between 2005 and 2022. It’s been reported that even executives at the BBC are shocked by this news, as they received complaints from no less than 13 people, including the well-respected Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark.

In 2011, as reported by the BBC, Wark claims that during her time on Celebrity MasterChef, Wallace made inappropriate jokes with sexual undertones. However, Wallace’s legal team denies these allegations, stating it is untrue to suggest he has ever behaved in a manner that could be considered sexually harassing.

Among the numerous startling accusations is one from a previous production team member who claims that Wallace inappropriately leaned towards her as she knelt to wipe a stain off his pants, mimicking a suggestive act. Even more disturbing, this accuser also alleges that Wallace entered the MasterChef studio completely nude except for a sock covering his private parts, and then performed a playful dance.

According to some allegations, Wallace exhibited inappropriate behavior by being overly tactile, making offensive sexual comments, and discussing his personal life openly. He reportedly removed his shirt in front of a female coworker, joking that he was giving her a fashion show. Additionally, he told a junior female colleague that he wasn’t wearing underwear beneath his jeans.

Yesterday, I found myself in the position of collaborating with Banijay, a renowned production company known for series like Big Brother and Peaky Blinders, as they conduct an outside examination. I’m fully cooperative with this process, as per their statement.

However, what adds even more astonishment to yesterday’s disclosures is that when I recently reached out to the production company, approximately three weeks ago, to share separate accusations against Wallace for being inappropriate on set and acting boorishly – following a tip-off suggesting several employees, both current and former, were preparing to file complaints regarding his off-screen behavior – Banijay chose to disregard these claims.

‘MasterChef is a series that many past and current team members frequently come back to, appreciating its friendly and constructive work atmosphere. We set out clear guidelines for behavior that everyone is reminded of often. Any instances where these standards aren’t followed are taken seriously and addressed promptly and properly. There are several methods to report behavioral issues, which we make sure are clearly communicated. If anyone has concerns, we encourage them to reach out to us.’

In the meantime, Wallace enlisted renowned attorneys Harbottle & Lewis (who charge £400 an hour) to send a letter to the Mail with the goal of halting their publication of the allegations. This week, the BBC reached out to Banijay after a team of employees refused to back down and banded together. Upon receiving this information, Banijay chose to intervene and requested that Wallace step aside while they conducted their investigation.

The claims, according to sources, are first-person testimonies and impossible to ignore.

It was discovered, following an unbiased examination after the 2020 acquisition of Endemol Shine by Banijay, that the management at Endemol Shine did not effectively escalate or appropriately handle informal complaints about Russell Brand during his hosting of Big Brother spin-off shows from 2004 to 2008. This examination uncovered allegations that Brand had requested staff to obtain audience members’ phone numbers and that his behavior caused female crew members to feel uneasy or intimidated.

The controversy surrounding MasterChef may catch fans off guard since, debuting in 2005, the show is now aired in over 50 nations with multiple adaptations like those for aspiring chefs, celebrities, and professionals. An insider revealed that there have been numerous instances where people expressed their intentions to voice concerns about working with [Gregg]. However, he is the main attraction, the icon of the show, and it takes courage to challenge such a prominent figure.

Currently, we’ve reached a stage where it must happen, no matter what. To the general public, MasterChef appears as a charming, neat, and affectionate program. However, beneath this surface, the challenges can be quite demanding for the competitors at certain moments.

For the individuals manning the cameras, the experience can often be far from enjoyable. You have Gregg, who’s recently hit the milestone of 60, and then a group of relatively young employees. Some of these young employees might even be more than three decades younger than Gregg, which presents its own set of challenges.

Given his background as a straightforward man from Peckham, a former greengrocer and market vendor, it’s likely that Wallace is accustomed to interacting with younger women.

In simpler terms, Anne-Marie, his fourth wife, is twenty-one years younger than him and first connected with Wallace in 2013 after posing a question about one of his TV recipes on Twitter. She wondered if rhubarb truly complemented duck because she had seen him prepare it on a cooking show.

The duo share a four-year-old son named Sid, who is non-verbally autistic. This year, Wallace sparked an online debate when he penned an article discussing his typical weekend routine, stating that having a child ‘wasn’t something I would have chosen at this stage of my life’.

In the same breath, he described how he spends hours at the gym most mornings (‘I’m now 12 stone [having lost five stone] and I have less than 18 per cent body fat and a six-pack’, he wrote) two hours playing computer war games alone (‘I’m an amateur historian’) – and could find just 90 minutes after lunch to spend with his son.

However, Wallace’s life hasn’t followed a simple path. He’s openly discussed his troubled upbringing. At the age of 14, his parents divorced following years of heated arguments fueled by alcohol and extramarital affairs. It was then that he learned his biological father wasn’t his mother’s husband but rather her lover.

In 1991, his first spouse, Christine, left him only six weeks after their wedding. Prior to their marriage, Wallace acknowledged that he had realized it was an error.

Additionally, Wallace is the father of Tom and Libby, born during his six-year marriage to Denise, a past baker who is no longer with us due to complications from alcoholism. Their divorce followed accusations of infidelity by Wallace with one of his employees. After their separation, Denise retained custody of the children, but later on, Wallace sought full custody as her health declined. Sadly, Denise passed away in 2017.

In my journey as a lifestyle connoisseur, I found myself connecting with the remarkable Heidi on Twitter back in 2010 – she was 17 years younger than me. We exchanged vows that same year, but unfortunately, our union lasted just 15 months before we parted ways.

After their separation, I found myself piling on the pounds, reaching a whopping 17st. However, I turned things around with a strict diet and workout routine, and in 2021, I shared with the Mail that I only date women who make me feel like cruising down the road in my Jaguar with the top down when we enter restaurants together. Since then, I’ve been trying to reinvent myself as a fitness enthusiast and TikTok sensation – but little do people know, I’ve been dealing with a barrage of allegations about my tough personality behind the scenes. Just three months ago, it came to light that I was under investigation by the BBC in 2018 due to complaints about my behavior on their show Impossible Celebrities.

It has been reported that he supposedly removed his shirt and bragged about his sexual abilities in the presence of a female BBC staff member. According to sources, this incident caused distress among the production team, leading to a meeting being called for him. However, after an examination, it was concluded that Wallace could carry on working with the corporation.

According to a source, it’s worth considering why Gregg was permitted to stay on MasterChef after his past issues.

In response to recent articles, Wallace published a message on Instagram this year: “Regarding the news stories, the accusations against me were thoroughly examined by the BBC six years ago. It was determined that my comments were not of a sexual nature. I’d like to reiterate, they were not sexual. Thank you all for your attention.

Previously, there were accusations about him last year regarding his BBC series Inside The Factory. He resigned from hosting duties due to claims of unprofessional behavior, including being disrespectful towards staff and using disparaging language, particularly towards women. This alleged incident occurred during a production at the Nestle factory in York.

In my professional capacity as a lifestyle expert, allow me to share an insightful piece of news. It appears that a concern was expressed to the production company, Voltage TV, regarding some of my comments. They kindly asked for a tone adjustment in my future statements, expressing their dismay that I may have unintentionally caused distress. This incident, it seems, has been a contributing factor in my decision to part ways with the show after seven successful seasons.

He later confirmed that, while there was an ‘argument’ at the factory, it was ‘not offensive’.

Wallace has also faced issues with his behavior outside of the camera’s view. In 2013, he engaged in a physical altercation, fueled by alcohol, with a magazine publisher who was accused of making offensive remarks towards his wife Anne-Marie during a champagne reception. The scuffle reportedly occurred on the floor among surprised attendees. Regarding the incident, Wallace expressed: “This man touched Anne-Marie’s backside and made inappropriate comments. I’m not the type of guy who just overlooks such behavior.

A source close to the show mentioned: ‘Gregg can sometimes be challenging, as he tends to speak out-of-place remarks, tells humorous but extreme jokes, and is frank to a fault, which might not sit well with those who are younger or more sensitive to cultural issues. For some, his behavior can create an uncomfortable or hostile environment.’

Regardless of his growing list of offenses, superiors have yet to take action against Wallace. This is because, as some within Banijay note, he is incredibly well-liked by the audience.

A TV industry source noted that he’s continually receiving a high volume of work, indicating that senior management appreciates his work and finds him appealing to viewers. Instead of pushing for changes, it appears they prefer to control his outbursts. However, change might be inevitable due to fatigue from his behavior and the repercussions that come with it, even among his own team members.

In my experience as a lifestyle expert, I’ve noticed that while on camera, my camaraderie with John Torode on MasterChef is undeniable. However, behind the scenes, our bond seems to take a different form, as we each have our private moments and individual pursuits when the cameras aren’t rolling.

As a devoted admirer, I, much like Gordon Torode, formerly had a turbulent relationship with the renowned Wallace. He confessed to stepping away from our tumultuous bond. In his own words, we don’t engage in social activities beyond the scope of our work and have never set foot in each other’s homes. Even when socializing with colleagues, we find ourselves seated at opposite ends of the table.

A member of Wallace’s team, who has been with him for over a decade as part of the management, is rumored to be on the verge of resigning.

A source close to the celebrity noted, ‘It seems like it’s always simple to claim you’ve had enough of Gregg, as he can truly be a difficult person to deal with.’

‘You get to the point where you just think ‘enough is enough’.

However, beneath his tough exterior lies a genuine charm that leaves you grinning, eagerly anticipating when circumstances bring you two together again.

It remains to be seen whether Wallace will be able to charm his way out of this latest scandal.

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2024-11-29 05:25