BBC/Shine TVMasterChef presenter Greg Wallace has apologized for suggesting the allegations against him were made by “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
“I want to apologize for any offense caused by my post yesterday, and for any offense I may have caused to many people,” he said. In a video posted on his Instagram story.
“I wasn’t in a good place when I posted this. I’ve been under a lot of stress, a lot of emotions, when I posted it yesterday I was very lonely, under siege.
“It is clear to me that I will need to take some time off while this investigation continues. I hope you understand and I hope you will accept this apology.”
Wallace’s apology comes after an earlier video uploaded on Sunday, in which he said he was on behalf of “more than 4,000 candidates” who worked on the BBC show Masterchef over 20 years. “13 complaints” have been received.
He proposed allegations that he had inappropriately treated “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
One of his accusers said the comments showed he “clearly hasn’t learned his lesson”, while another said he wrongly “seems to be a victim of classism”.
Ulrika Johnson, who claimed she was told Wallace had made a “rape joke” during her time on Celebrity MasterChef, told The Daily Telegraph that she felt Wallace’s response was “such a Arrogance is manifested in a person who has no self-knowledge or self-awareness.”
“When he referred to women of a certain age, I was just furious… I was absolutely wild,” she said.
Wallace quit MasterChef last week after allegations were made that he made inappropriate comments while working on the show.
A BBC investigation interviewed 13 people of varying ages who worked on five different shows.
Wallace has denied engaging in sexually harassing behavior.
He did not respond to interview requests from BBC News.
Earlier on Monday, a Downing Street spokesman described Wallace’s comments as “inappropriate and abusive”.
“As you know, the BBC is carrying out an independent review of workplace culture, which should make clear and timely recommendations, and it is important that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BC takes these issues seriously,” said a government spokesperson.
Asked whether Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer believed the BBC represented good value for money following another scandal involving one of its presenters, the spokesman replied: “As I say. , it is important that the public have confidence that the BBC is taking these issues seriously.
“It is right that the BBC is undertaking this independent review, and the public will expect to see clear and timely recommendations as a result of this review.”
Number 10 has also confirmed that culture secretary Lisa Nandy had spoken to BBC bosses in the wake of the row about her behaviour.
MasterChef continues on Mondays at 21:00 GMT on BBC One, with further episodes scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
All three of this week’s episodes have already been made available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
A Christmas special is scheduled to air later this month. A Christmas special is also scheduled to air later this month. In a press release issued on Friday, the BBC said viewers “can expect fireworks, a great Christmas celebration and good food”.
However, M.P Rupa Haq advises. The BBC considers stopping the series while Wallace’s behavior is investigated.
She told BBC News that the airing of more episodes of MasterChef “could be massively motivating for women, indeed any woman involved in any of these types of incidents”, and said that B.B. C should consider stopping the series “due to sensitivity”.
Production company BunnyJ UK said it had launched an investigation, with which Wallace was cooperating, while the BBC said “if people want to tell us something directly, they should always listen.” will”.
Those who have come forward with allegations against Wallace include former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Work, who said that while she was on Celebrity MasterChef, she sexually assaulted contestants and staff. “Sexual” stories and jokes were told.