The professional partnership of John Torode and Gregg Wallace, longtime hosts of the BBC’s MasterChef, has come under scrutiny as unsettling allegations about Wallace surface.
Gregg Wallace, 60, has faced claims of inappropriate behavior from 13 individuals, including high-profile personalities like Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark. A
mid these allegations, past comments by John Torode about his strained relationship with Wallace have resurfaced, adding fuel to the controversy.
Wallace Faces Backlash
On Thursday, the allegations became public, leading Wallace to post a defiant response on social media.
Referring to the accusations as coming from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age,” Wallace dismissed them as exaggerated.
He claimed that throughout his 20 years on the show, working with thousands of contestants, only a small number of complaints had been made.
However, his remarks sparked outrage.
Dorothy Byrne, a former head of news at Channel 4, criticized Wallace for trivializing the allegations, stating, “No woman wants to hear that kind of behavior, and neither do men.”
Torode’s Comments Resurface
As Wallace defends himself, attention has turned to comments made by John Torode in 2017.
Torode revealed to The Mirror that despite working together for nearly two decades, he and Wallace “have never been friends.”
Torode noted that their relationship is purely professional, with little interaction outside work.
Despite acting as Wallace’s best man at his 2016 wedding, Torode described them as distant colleagues.
Since the allegations broke, Torode has remained silent, leaving fans of MasterChef wondering about his stance on the issue.
Claims from Past Contestants and Colleagues
Former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aggie McKenzie described observing a clear lack of camaraderie between the two hosts, noting they often stayed apart when off-camera.
Other allegations against Wallace include inappropriate jokes and comments, sharing topless photos, and discussing his personal life in unprofessional settings.
Television personality Kirstie Allsopp also recounted an uncomfortable experience with Wallace.
Using the hashtag #MiddleClassWomanOfaCertainAge, she revealed he had shared explicit details about his personal life within an hour of meeting her during a filming session.
Widespread Reaction
The controversy has prompted responses from various public figures.
Singer Rod Stewart, whose wife Penny Lancaster participated in Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, called Wallace “ill-mannered” and accused him of humiliating his wife.
Meanwhile, BBC producers and MasterChef staff have begun investigating the allegations, leading to Wallace stepping back from his judging role.
The Future of MasterChef
As the investigation unfolds, the future of MasterChef remains uncertain.
The show, a staple of British television, has thrived under the leadership of Torode and Wallace for nearly 20 years.
However, these recent events have cast a shadow over its legacy, leaving viewers and industry insiders questioning its direction.
Will the allegations mark the end of Wallace’s television career, or can MasterChef weather the storm? Only time will reveal the full impact of these revelations.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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