Gregg Wallace makes statement after being accused of making ‘inappropriate comments’ to his colleague

BBC Master chef star Gregg Wallace has responded to claims he is being investigated for making inappropriate comments to a colleague at the public broadcaster.

Last night (October 13) it was reported that Wallace, 59, was investigated in 2018 following reports of his behaviour.

The former greengrocer reportedly took off his shirt and started bragging about intimate encounters he had experienced, all in front of a BBC employee.

After watching the encounter at the time, the BBC reportedly told Wallace to ‘change his behaviour’.

Speaking to The Sun, a BBC insider wondered why Wallace could stay on Master chef ‘despite the accusations about his behaviour’.

A source told The Sun: “Gregg was accused of making inappropriate comments to a younger female member of the production team.

“He would brag about his sex life with his partner at the time. At one point, Gregg was also accused of taking off his top in front of the woman, which felt inappropriate. Gregg seemed to think it was all just banter and reportedly made some comments to the live audience as well.

“The team working on the show were shocked and told BBC executives what had happened.”

Gregg Wallace has dismissed claims that every comment he made was sexual or flirtatious (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Wallace quickly responded to the messages, denouncing them as being sexual of any kind. He also confirmed his love for his wife in the video posted to Instagram.

He said: “Referring to what is reported in the newspapers, these allegations were investigated by the BBC six years ago. And my comments did not appear to be sexual.

‘I repeat; not sexual. Thank you for your time.’

In a follow-up video, Wallace said: “Another thing I feel very strongly about, strongly enough to be here, no one has accused me of flirting with anyone or hitting anyone six years ago or since.

“And that is important to me. And I say this for my wife Anna, to whom I have been faithful and madly in love with who I am since the day I met her.

“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand this and give the impression that I was flirting with someone. No one has accused me of that and I never have.”

Wallace has addressed the claims (ANDREW MATTHEWS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Anna – full name Anne-Marie Sterpini – is Wallace’s wife, with whom he tied the knot in 2016.

The couple first met on Twitter (now known as X) when she messaged Wallace asking about one of his television recipes. Wallace and Sterpini welcomed their son Sid in 2019.

The TV presenter went viral earlier in 2024 after his Saturday routine in The Telegraph left readers baffled, with many questioning the entire content of the routine itself.

A BBC spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on individuals, any concerns are dealt with quickly and appropriately. We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind and have robust processes in place.”