Celebrity chef Gregg Wallace had been accused of inappropriately sexual behaviour, jokes and remarks during the making of his television shows by a number of women
Gregg Wallace has been seen for the first time in months following his sexual misconduct investigation.
The former MasterChef host, 60, stepped down from hosting the BBC show with Jon Torode in November after multiple complaints of inappropriate behaviour on set.
The celebrity chef has vehemently denied allegations of inappropriate sexual comments, with his lawyers also strongly denying Gregg engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Gregg insisted via his legal team: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
After months of keeping a low profile, Gregg was spotted out in public for the first time since the investigation into his behaviour on Thursday. In pictures obtained by Mail Online, the former Masterchef star was seen running errands close to his home in Kent. The shamed TV star looked stern and downcast as he was photographed behind the wheel of his car with his hand in front of his face.
Gregg has been seen for the first time since being dropped from MasterChef
The celebrity chef has kept a low profile since the sexual misconduct investigation (
Image:
Jam Press/@greggawallace)
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Gregg had not been seen in public since November 28. Before choosing to lay low for a while, the celebrity chef took to Instagram to inform his followers that he would be taking a ‘step back’ from social media after his departure from Masterchef due to the allegations made against him. At the time, he told his followers: “I would like to thank all the people for getting in touch, reaching out, and sharing their support. That’s good of you. Thank you very much.”
The TV star said that he was taking a much-needed step back for his own mental health and wellbeing after the stress of the allegations made against him. Earlier this month, Gregg made is comeback to Instagram as he told his fans that he made “a promise” to himself in a cryptic post, three months on from his MasterChef scandal.
Gregg took to social media to share a post about reflection. Posting a photograph of a scenic sky view on a Sunday morning, he wrote: “Sunday can be a time for reflection. Perhaps make ourselves a promise for next week.”
It comes after a statement from the show’s production company Banijay UK siad that Wallace is “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process” during the BBC’s investigation process.
The TV star was dropped from MasterChef in November (
Image:
BBC /Shine TV)The statement read: “This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows. Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.
“While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process. Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.”
It continued: “Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
The BBC has said it takes any issues that are raised with it “seriously” after it was announced Wallace will step away from his role on MasterChef while complaints made to the corporation from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct are investigated.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated. Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
