MasterChef: The Professionals winner Dan Merriman had nothing but praise for Gregg Wallace as he shared his experience on the show.
Throughout the tight competition, Dan wowed the judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and controversial star Gregg Wallace. He also impressed restaurant critics and some of the country’s leading chefs – delivering outstanding, innovative food and skilful cookery for them to taste.
Reacting to his win, Dan said recently: “To walk away as MasterChef Champion, it means the world to me. There’s not been that many times where I’ve been proud of myself in my life, but I’ve hit the pinnacle! This whole competition has changed my life. I’m forever grateful.”
And now, he also opened up about his experience with Gregg – who has been under fire over accusations over his behaviour. Gregg was placed under investigation last month due to historic complaints that he’d made “sexual comments” on set of MasterChef, with Newsnight host Kirsty Wark among several people who have accused the MasterChef presenter of making inappropriate sexual comments or jokes.
MasterChef Professionals winner breaks silence on experience with Gregg Wallace
The BBC host stepped away from MasterChef a couple of weeks ago amid the investigation but responded to the accusations with a series of posts on Instagram. In his posts, Gregg vehemently denied having taken part in any wrongdoing. Speaking about his experience with Gregg, Dan said his “experience with Gregg was great”.
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Dan Merriman had nothing but praise for Gregg Wallace
The MasterChef: The Professionals winner praised Gregg and told The Times: “He’s a happy-go-lucky kind of bloke, very encouraging and very supportive. He gave me some great comments and feedback.” Dan also doesn’t think the scandal surrounding Wallace has lessened the show’s standing.
“At the end of the day, the programme is all about the contestants. We’ve had a lot of support from the public, from social media, and I don’t feel like it’s been overshadowed. Nor should it be. It shouldn’t take away from the achievements of any one of the 32 chefs who took part,” he said to the publication.
He said Gregg Wallace was ‘very supportive’ (
Image:
BBC /Shine TV)
Meanwhile, BBC bosses have previously said the corporation will not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect” and will continue to champion “a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful”. A memo sent to staff by the BBC director-general, Tim Davie, and Charlotte Moore, chief content officer, said the corporation would be supporting MasterChef producer Banijay UK in its investigation.
Wallace also apologised for claiming complaints about his behaviour came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”, adding he will “take some time out”. Lawyers for Wallace have previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.
The Christmas specials of MasterChef have been pulled from the BBC ’s schedules after allegations surfaced about Gregg.
