-Credit:BBC

Gregg Wallace’s potential MasterChef replacement Andi Oliver said she is “not surprised” by the allegations against him as “everybody” heard stuff.

Gregg is accused of inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour towards female staff and guests he’s worked with, over a 17-year period.

The 60-year-old has denied all allegations, with his lawyers previously telling the BBC: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”

He has since stepped back from MasterChef and is cooperating with an investigation into the claims that is being led by TV company Banijay UK.

Sharing her thoughts on the allegations, Andi said: “I’m not surprised by it.”

While she doesn’t know Gregg personally, she added to The Guardian: “There’s a certain culture that allows it to happen.

Andi Oliver ‘wasn’t surprised’ by the allegations -Credit:GETTY
“Somebody should have nipped that s**t in the bud a long time ago. It’s not like nobody knew it was happening. I heard stuff. Everyone did.

“And there are tons of others who go around behaving badly.”

The 61-year-old believes that a change can only happen “if we stop all the fake outrage” and instead, implement a change.

She added: “Thousands of people shouting about Gregg Wallace on Twitter doesn’t interest me. What does is whether we remember this in six months, or will there be more fake shock and outrage when it happens all over again with the next person whose antics were an open secret?”

In the same interview, Andi cryptically shared whether or not she would be up for being John Torode’s new co-star on the BBC cooking show, following Gregg’s exit.

The chef has been replaced by Grace Dent on the celebrity version, however the judging role on the amateur show is yet to be filled.

In response to replacing him, the chef firstly said: “No”, before adding: “I can’t talk about that. Everyone keeps asking.”

Ahead of the celebrity version next year, restaurant critic Grace said she is “so excited” and “can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025”.

Gregg’s former long-term co-star John added that he “loved” working with Grace, who he described as an “excellent guest and inspiring critic”, over the years.