Gregg Wallace, a well-known judge from MasterChef UK, has addressed recent reports about an alleged incident during his appearance on the BBC game show Impossible Celebrities in 2018.
Wallace, 59, stated that the matter was investigated by the BBC at the time, and it was determined that he did not say anything of a sexual nature. The Saturday night quiz show, hosted by Rick Edwards, aired for eight series between 2017 and 2021.
According to a report by The Sun, the BBC’s review concluded that Wallace could continue his work with the corporation, clearing him of any wrongdoing.
In response to the renewed attention on the incident, Wallace took to Instagram to clarify the situation, reiterating that the investigation was handled promptly by the BBC six years ago and that the outcome confirmed he did not make any sexual remarks.
He emphasized, “I didn’t say anything sexual,” aiming to address any misunderstandings fueled by recent headlines. Wallace has been a prominent figure in various BBC programs over the years, including Inside The Factory, which he hosted from 2015 until 2023.
He left the show to focus on caring for his autistic and non-verbal son, Sid, who he shares with his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini.
Wallace and Sterpini married in 2016, three years after connecting on Twitter when she inquired about pairing duck with rhubarb. He has been keen to maintain that throughout their relationship, he has remained faithful and committed.
In a second video posted on social media, Wallace stressed that no one accused him of flirting or inappropriate behavior at the time of the alleged incident in 2018. He affirmed his loyalty to his wife, Anna, and stated that he has never “flirted or hit on anybody” since meeting her 12 years ago.
The BBC, while not commenting on Wallace’s specific case, noted that it addresses issues swiftly and appropriately when raised.
The corporation has recently faced scrutiny regarding its handling of other internal matters, such as contestant welfare on Strictly Come Dancing and the dismissal of One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas for sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
Wallace’s situation appears to be part of a broader examination of the BBC’s internal processes regarding staff behavior and its response to allegations of misconduct.
Beyond the controversy, Wallace has a long history with the BBC, having appeared on shows like Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, and various editions of MasterChef.
He even participated in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014. Wallace, who has been married four times, is also a father to two adult children from a previous relationship.
His career has spanned many aspects of food and television, and last year, he was recognized with an MBE for his contributions to food and charity.
In 2019, Wallace co-authored Gregg’s Italian Family Cookbook with his wife Anna, who is a caterer, further cementing their shared love for culinary endeavors.
Despite the recent resurfacing of allegations, Wallace continues to assert his innocence regarding the 2018 incident and remains focused on his family and career.
The situation highlights the BBC’s ongoing challenges in managing public figures associated with the network, especially as it aims to uphold its standards against inappropriate behavior.
