Gregg Wallace's 'ugly side' he hid behind cheeky chappy TV persona unmasked
Gregg Wallace has been accused of playing up to a "cheeky chappy" persona while the public were unaware of his "uglier side". The presenter was sacked from his TV roles yesterday following a lengthy investigation into misconduct claims, in which he denies any wrongdoing.
He was removed from his MasterChef hosting duty when a number of historical complaints came to light. Since then, 50 more people have come forward with fresh claims against Wallace.
Wallace has denied all claims made against him and said the investigation cleared him of the 'most serious and sensational accusations'.
The report is yet to be made public, but Wallace said he recognised some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
Baroness Helena Kennedy, who heads the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, which aims to improve behaviour in the creative industries has said his alleged misconduct 'should've never been acceptable'.
The watchdog chairwoman told BBC's Newsnight: 'The thing about this is that it should've never been acceptable behaviour, and people did complain about it.
'Being a cheeky chappy and the guy that the public were attracted to as being their frank-speaking, playful man that they saw on the telly, he was not speaking on the television the way that he was speaking to the people around him.'
Baroness Kennedy said the public might have enjoyed watching Wallace playing the 'cheeky chappy' but that they had not seen his 'uglier side'. She added: 'Now I know that Gregg was saying that he is someone with neurodiversity problems, that he's autistic, and that may explain some of his deeply inappropriate behaviour, but he's not inhibited, he's disinhibited in what he does, but that's also a role for management.
'If you employ someone, and then you discover that they actually don't know how to contain themselves and how to behave, then you have to basically be taking them on one side and nipping it in the bud at an early stage. That was not done.
'I think that's part of a reflection of the way in which television has changed in the last 20 years.' Baroness Kennedy said 'it's not so much that suddenly we've become politically correct' but the issue was about behaviour that was never acceptable.
Production firm Banijay previously said Wallace was 'committed to fully co-operating' with the external review, while his lawyers had previously strongly denied 'he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'.
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: "Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published."
In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Wallace wrote: "I have taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins report - a decision I do not take lightly. But after 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.
"I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me. The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures, which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
My mum worked with Biddy Baxter. Both women were formidable – and absolutely terrifying
David Attenborough's description of Biddy Baxter, when he presented her in 2013 with a special Bafta for her 25 years' work on Blue Peter, was easily the best: dedicated, passionate and pioneering. But since the producer has died, at 92, and other reminiscences have poured in, you can't help but notice how many of them are synonyms for 'scary'. 'Producer' and 'creator' describe Baxter's work on Blue Peter, but don't convey how totally and utterly everything was her idea: from Tony Hart to the Blue Peter badges, from the golden retrievers to the Blue Peter garden, from 'here's one we made earlier' to the charity appeals, she conjured it all, to make a cultural artefact that left no child untouched. If you ever received a Blue Peter badge, it's odds on you still have it – and, if it's a gold one, that you still talk about it. My mum worked on Blue Peter as a set designer, on and off, over the same period and was always using words such as 'formidable', 'uncompromising' and 'takes no prisoners' about Baxter. It made no sense to me as a kid, because my mum was terrifying at work. She revelled in how scary she was, how she could make fully grown carpenters quake with one eyebrow. How could there be two of them? Surely that would cause some kind of chemical reaction? Also, my mum didn't prize the 'feminine' traits of amiability and compliance, so why did she sound faintly critical when they were void in other women? They were different brands of scary: Baxter was stilettos-on-the-studio-floor scary; my mum was dungarees-and-cigs scary. Baxter kept presenters in their place by insisting the real stars were the Blue Peter pets, while the entire design department (if memory serves) acted like neither pets nor people held any meaning at all, compared with a scale model of an aquarium made of balsa wood and sticky-back plastic. But still, you would have expected maybe a trace of solidarity, a collective 'in fact, neither of us is frightening in any true sense, we're just professionals with strong views who happen to be women'. I didn't see any of that, which speaks to Attenborough's point about pioneers: if you're ever wearing stilettos at work and telling people what to do without striking terror into anyone, it's because Baxter and her ilk, from the 60s through the 80s, were the ones they made earlier. Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
First Match of the Day panel since Gary Lineker's BBC exit revealed
The first Match of the Day panel since Gary Lineker left the BBC has been revealed. Ex-England striker Lineker, 64, spent 26 years in the Match of the Day hotseat before leaving the BBC in May. The presenter announced last November that he would stop hosting the iconic football highlights show at the end of the Premier League season. Lineker was due to continue working with the BBC on their coverage of the FA Cup and next summer's World Cup but agreed to leave completely after apologising for sharing an antisemitic post on social media. The BBC have hired Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates as three new hosts of Match of the Day following Lineker's exit. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. According to the Daily Telegraph, Chapman will be given responsibility to host the first Match of the Day programme without Lineker. They say that 'barring any last-minute hitches', Chapman will be joined by new star pundit Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer on the flagship show. The first Match of the Day of the season will be shown on Saturday night and include highlights of champions Liverpool's opening game against Bournemouth and Burnley's first game back in the top-flight. Chapman, Logan and Cates will share presenting duties across Match of the Day, which is shown on Saturday night, and Sunday night's Match of the Day 2. The BBC has signed Manchester United and England legend Rooney as a pundit on a two-year deal worth around £800,000. Despite Lineker's exit, Chapman does not expect a huge amount of change from Match of the Day going forwards. 'I know people keep saying, 'Oh, this will change, or that will change'. I genuinely don't think anything will change,' he said recently. 'It will still be showing all the highlights and having a little bit of a chat. So, if you're wanting a lot of change I suppose you're going to be a bit disappointed by it. 'I think we still do the same thing, and talk about football, and have a laugh and that'll be that.' More Trending Lineker held back tears as he signed off from his final edition of Match of the Day on the final day of last season's Premier League. 'It's been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century,' he said. 'It's been utterly joyous. Speaking directly into the camera to viewers at home, he added: 'And my final thank you goes to all of you. 'Thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years. It's been so special, and I'm sorry that your team was always on last.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Andi Oliver 'wants to kill' Radio 1 DJ after lewd comments towards daughter Miquita MORE: Jack Grealish sent warning after Everton agree £50m loan move MORE: Barcelona star responds to Manchester United and Chelsea transfer interest
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Gethin Jones reveals heartbreaking news that his father has died saying ‘he put up a good fight'
The TV presenter shared a lengthy tribute to his dad on instagram sad loss Gethin Jones reveals heartbreaking news that his father has died saying 'he put up a good fight' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MORNING Live presenter Gethin Jones has shared the heartbreaking news that his dad has died. The BBC star, 47, revealed the sad news today on his social media. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Gethin Jones shared his last picture with his dad as he revealed he had passed away 2 Gethin presenting Morning Live with Kym Marsh Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Gethin posted a snap with his dad in his hospital bed, before sharing a long caption remembering his father. He wrote: 'Wales defeated England..' (the famous line from Max Boyce) - Hymns and Arias with dad last night, before he left us this morning. The most perfect, peaceful end. Welsh hymns playing, and the grandsons on speaker phone saying goodbye." The Welshman went on to explain: "Dad was poorly for a while, he put up a good fight, incredible really. It was so nice to see his dry humour, the importance of faith and his love for classical music shine through at the end. "Every day I've been at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff, someone would stop me and ask me about dad. He probably taught them at some point. He made a big impact on education in these parts over a long period of time. He was strict and direct, always reasonable. A teacher for 40 years, a headteacher for 28!" He continued: "Always grateful for the care and understanding of the wonderful NHS staff - my sister is one of them. But this time, she was also the daughter. One of the strongest I know, (and then will cry at an emotive sentence in Welsh!). She's just been amazing, didn't miss a beat. A little mention to her what's app group with her mates. Finding the humour when needed is so important isn't it.. along with the unconditional support." Gethin concluded the post: "A tough old week. But lucky in so many ways. #AmyneddYwAmodLlwyddo" The final phrase he shared translates to English as 'Patience is the key to success.' Gethin was soon inundated with wellwishes. "Beautifully chosen words thinking of you. Big Hug," wrote fellow presenter Anthea Turner. Morning Live medic Dr Ranj shared a series of heart emojis in the comments section. The One Show's Alex Jones wrote in Welsh, "Meddwl amdano ti Geth. Loads o gariad atoch chi gyd." This means, "Thinking of you Geth. Lots of love to all." Sir Chris Hoy added: "So sorry to hear it mate, but heartwarming to see him surrounded with love. x"
