The former MasterChef presenter has a history of calling women sexy on social media in posts that are still up, including several contestants from the BBC cooking show
Gregg Wallace has come under renewed fire after it emerged he described a former MasterChef champion and a BBC presenter as a “sexy b***h” on social media in comments which still remain online.
The disgraced former MasterChef judge, 60, was officially let go from the BBC following a nine-month investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour, which uncovered a pattern of sexualised comments and conduct across multiple platforms and in person.
Wallace referred to women as “sexy” more than 135 times on X, with public posts aimed at colleagues, contestants, and celebrities he worked with.
Among the most striking were remarks directed at 2012 MasterChef winner Shelina Permalloo, who he called a “sexy b***h” and “sexy girl”. In one tweet, Wallace wrote: “hello mate, how you doing ? Sexy b***h !”
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Penny Haslam, who worked with Wallace through their mutual involvement with WeightWatchers, was also on the receiving end of the same phrase.
The comments come to light just days after it was confirmed that production company Banjay, who makes the BBC’s MasterChef, had terminated Wallace’s long-running involvement in the cooking competition.
Despite Wallace’s insistence that he was cleared of “the most serious and sensational accusations”, the broadcaster concluded that his behaviour amounted to “learned behaviour” that he was unlikely to change.
Among the long list of individuals he’s labelled “sexy” online are MasterChef finalist Angela Langford, judge Monica Galetti, designer Kelly Hoppen, and presenters like Alison Hammond. Even Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood and former Page 3 model Linda Lusardi were subject to flirty comments from Wallace, who described Lusardi as a “sexy girl”.
His long-time MasterChef co-star John Torode was repeatedly called “sexy” in Wallace’s posts, and Torode’s wife, actress Lisa Faulkner, was referred to as “hot point” and “pretty”.
Wallace has previously insisted that his remarks were not harassment. But former Celebrity MasterChef contestant and journalist Aasmah Mir had a very different perspective.
Last year she reflected on an uncomfortable incident that took place while filming the cooking show, saying: “In 2017, I took part in Celebrity MasterChef. I put my first dish down in front of the judges and the cameras paused to reset. In front of everyone, Gregg Wallace told me to tell a colleague at the BBC ‘that she was a sexy b***h.’ No-one said anything. And yes, I did complain.”
Wallace responded to the controversy surrounding him with a statement on social media, saying: “After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others. I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me. I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation.”
The TV personality also revealed he suffered a health scare during the fallout and had to be rushed to a hospital in Ashford, Kent, with chest pains that doctors feared could be a heart attack.
Despite his apology and claims of partial exoneration, the BBC’s internal report reportedly concluded: “It is clear that you struggle to distinguish the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, as well as lacking an awareness of why your behaviour impacts others.”
Source: Mirror
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