MasterChef's Gregg Wallace 'ruins' chance of redemption after 'slipping at first hurdle'
Gregg Wallace may have already ruined his "only route to redemption" following his exit from MasterChef last month, according to a celebrity PR expert. In November 2024, the 60-year-old took a break away from the BBC programme after 13 individuals came forward with accusations about inappropriate sexual remarks against him, spread over 17 years.
Speaking the following month, Gregg claimed the complaints were made by "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age", a remark he later apologised for.
During his absence from screens, 50 more people accused him of uncomfortable encounters across various shows and locations, according to BBC News.
Following an inquiry into these allegations, the presenter was axed from the show after 20 years last month.
Speaking to The Sun shortly after, the broadcaster said he is "so sorry" to anyone hurt by his behaviour, but claimed he is "not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher".
He went on to say that his recent autism diagnosis also meant that he struggles "to read people".
Speaking on behalf of Betfred, Kayley Cornelius said: "While Masterchef may survive this controversy, Gregg Wallace's presenting career is looking already dead in the water.
"With an overwhelming number of upheld accounts against him, it would take a broadcaster with real guts to commission him for another TV show.
"The only real route to redemption he had to wiggle his way back into the industry was the hope of being offered a spot on a reality series such as Big Brother or I'm A Celebrity, where he'd appear as the token 'controversial' figure."
Kayleigh reckons this chance would serve as "a form of crisis PR" in an attempt to regain public favour and save his reputation, but questions whether it might already be too late.
The PR expert explains that the initial steps a celebrity takes after a scandal are "crucial", and "can set the tone for the lasting impact it will have on their career".
Given that Gregg spoke out so quickly after facing accusations, Kayleigh suspects this may have deterred producers from offering him an opportunity to redeem himself.
"Gregg had the likes of Phillip Schofield's and Wynne Evans' mistakes to learn from. However, he's already slipped up at the first hurdle and dug himself even deeper into a hole he'll struggle to get out of," she observed.
"In his exclusive interview, he came across as rash and directionless, and as a result, he made himself a laughing stock online, proving that the public aren't ready to take him seriously, nor welcome him back in.
"This will undoubtedly be a huge turn-off for producers."
Gregg's former co-presenter John Torode will also not have his contract renewed, after an allegation against him using "an extremely offensive racist term" was upheld. In a statement, he expressed that he had "no recollection" of the alleged incident and was "shocked and saddened" by the accusation.
The latest series of MasterChef returns to screens tonight, and controversially features both presenters. According to The Independent, the final episodes will see Wallace succeeded by Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh.
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