Gregg Wallace insists he is done with TV and the BBC and claims HE was 'groped' while working on MasterChef

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Gregg Wallace has insisted that he done with TV and the BBC before making a sensational claim that HE was 'groped' during his time on MasterChef as he speaks out following his sacking from the show.
The TV personality, 60, was recently dismissed from the BBC show after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation.
And in a new interview, Gregg has told how he himself faced sexual harassment from a host of women 'on a regular basis' as he hit out at the broadcaster over their 'complaints procedure'.
Speaking to The Sun, Gregg said: 'The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed - there are huge problems with it as things stand. Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too.
'Had I wanted to raise any complaints, I'd have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly. My God, can you imagine the complaints I could have made? Have you got any idea of the sexual references made to me on a daily basis?
'How many times I've been touched by women wanting a selfie? How many times I've been groped? How many times suggestive comments have been made to me? How many female contestants have said inappropriate things on MasterChef?'
Gregg added that the thought of complaining wouldn't even 'cross my mind', noting that he wasn't suggesting that groping was 'right', but it was 'happening to me on a regular basis.'
The disgraced TV star went on to that he was often 'shouted at and bullied', claiming contestants had a perceived notion that presenters were 'god-like' and adding that he doesn't wish for anyone to be 'dragged through' what he has.
MailOnline have contacted BBC representatives for comment.
Meanwhile, Gregg, who has been reported to have been banned from working at the BBC, told how he washed his hands of both the TV industry and the BBC having been 'hurt' by recent events.
He noted he didn't want 'anything to do with' telly or the broadcaster, before acknowledging that his TV career is now over.
When asked if he will watch the upcoming series of MasterChef, he replied with a defiant 'No, no, no, no', stating that he's 'pleased' for the contestants on the show as it was never really about former co-star John Torode and himself.
He added that he 'didn't care' who hosted the show next, insisting that MasterChef would be 'absolutely fine' without himself and John at the helm.
Australian-born chef John, 59, recently lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of.
'Had I wanted to raise any complaints, I'd have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly. My God, can you imagine the complaints I could have made? Have you got any idea of the sexual references made to me on a daily basis?'
Gregg's comments come after it was revealed that the BBC would air its amateur 2025 series of MasterChef.
In the nine months since the hit BBC programme finished filming last Autumn there have been questions over whether it would ever be broadcast following allegations of inappropriate behaviour against presenters Wallace and Torode.
Now the corporation has revealed that the amateur series of MasterChef filmed last year, before allegations against Gregg and John were upheld, will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6.
The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings.
A source said: 'The BBC have made it clear that it should limit the amount of airtime the presenters have in the editing of the new series, with a bigger focus on the contestants who are at the heart of the competition.'
'Neither Gregg nor John will appear in BBC iPlayer thumbnails and they will not be doing any promotional activity around the latest series.'
'All of the brilliant new contestants were consulted on whether the series should be broadcast, and no one objected.'
'Everyone involved is very keen to promote the hard work of the contestants and that will be our priority.'
Gregg (right) stepped down from the hit BBC cooking show after complaints were made about his behaviour. His co-host John (left) was also the subject of an allegation about using racist language and was also sacked from the show
The BBC said it had taken the decision to broadcast the unaired series 'after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants'.
In a statement, the corporation said: 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.'
The BBC also said it had not yet taken a decision on the completed celebrity series and Christmas special, filmed with Torode and food critic Grace Dent.
In its statement, the BBC said: 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it.
'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.
'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.'
The BBC concluded its statement by describing MasterChef as 'a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual'.
'There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.'
The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings
But some people are not happy with the decision, including former workers on the show.
While former contestants on the show previously said that being on MasterChef can be 'life-changing' for them.
Some of the women who came forward with claims against Gregg have said they didn't think it should be shown.
One former MasterChef worker told BBC News it would show 'a real lack of respect' to people like her if the series was aired, while another warned it would 'make a mockery' of the people who have spoken out.