Gregg Wallace steps in alongside Masterchef as host while allegations are investigated

Writing on Instagram Thursday, Singer Sir Rod Stewart described Wallace, outer as an “ill-mannered bully”, and said the presenter “humiliated” his wife when she was on Masterchef in 2021.

BBC News has asked Wallace’s representatives for comment on Sir Rod’s post.

We’ve also learned that Wallace was warned by the BBC after a complaint was made against him in 2018 over the Impossible Celebrities show.

Two of the women who complained say Wallace spoke openly about his sex life to staff on the show, which made them feel uncomfortable.

One said his sex jokes were “disgusting”, adding that he would talk about how often he had sex and how he was a good lover.

After they complained, Wallace apologized and they were offered counseling.

A formal HR investigation took place and in the letter of findings, which we have seen, the BBC concluded that “many aspects of (Wallace’s) conduct were both unacceptable and unprofessional”.

In a subsequent letter, which we have also seen, a BBC boss said she had held a 90-minute meeting with Wallace to make clear “how seriously the BBC takes this matter”. She also assured the workers that measures would be taken “to prevent a similar recurrence and to protect others in the future”.

But further incidents have since emerged.

BBC News, which is editorially independent from the wider organisation, launched the investigation into Wallace this summer after becoming aware of the allegations. The claims we’ve heard are across five shows, from 2005 to 2022.

Some workers have spoken of more positive experiences with Wallace.

A former worker at Inside the Factory told us he made a lot of “dad jokes,” but it never went beyond that.

A former MasterChef contestant said nothing in her time that was worrying. Another said she didn’t feel there was any malice in his comments, although she understood why some people may have felt uncomfortable.