Sir Rod Stewart criticises ‘bully’ Greg Wallace following wife’s ‘humiliation’ on Masterchef. Wallace to step away from show amid historical allegations of misconduct.
Rock legend Sir Rod Stewart has spoken out against Greg Wallace, labelling him a ‘bald-headed, bully’ after reports emerged of his wife Penny Lancaster being ‘humiliated’ during her appearance on Masterchef. Wallace is now set to take a break from his long-standing role on the BBC programme following complaints from 13 individuals regarding historical allegations of misconduct.
The 69-year-old singer took to Instagram to express his thoughts on Wallace’s departure, calling him out for his behaviour towards his wife and describing him as a ‘tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully’. Stewart’s post read, “So Gregg Wallace gets fired from MasterChef. Good riddance Wallace… You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out, didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart.”
Lancaster appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, where she made it to the semi-finals. The allegations against Wallace include claims of inappropriate sexual comments made by 13 people who worked with him on various shows over a 17-year period. Among the accusers is Scottish broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who participated in Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.
The complaints detailed Wallace making ‘sexualised’ jokes in front of contestants and crew, discussing his sex life openly, and behaving inappropriately towards female colleagues. Despite a warning from the BBC in 2018 following a complaint, further incidents have come to light during the recent investigation. The claims span across five shows aired between 2005 and 2022.
Wallace’s legal team has refuted the allegations of sexual harassment, stating that they are entirely false. Production company Banijay UK, responsible for Masterchef, has launched an investigation into the matter, with Wallace’s full cooperation. The BBC has received complaints about Wallace’s conduct and is conducting an external review to investigate the allegations thoroughly.
While Wallace steps away from his role on Masterchef, Banijay UK emphasized their commitment to ensuring a safe working environment for all staff, with clear channels for raising concerns. They encourage anyone with information or concerns to reach out to them in confidence.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Greg Wallace’s conduct on Masterchef has led to significant repercussions, with Sir Rod Stewart adding his voice to the conversation by criticising Wallace for his alleged mistreatment of his wife, Penny Lancaster, on the show. The ongoing investigation will shed light on the severity of the allegations and the importance of upholding a safe and respectful workplace environment in the entertainment industry.