Gregg Wallace ‘unlikely to come back’ to BBC MasterChef as top talent manager outlines ‘two key issues’
Talent manager Jonathan Shalit has said Gregg Wallace is “unlikely to come back” to the BBC following allegations of misconduct against the MasterChef presenter.
Speaking on GB News, Shalit acknowledged Wallace’s contribution to television but expressed doubt about his future at the broadcaster.
“It’s sad. He’s given a lot of enjoyment to many people over the years. The allegations are very serious, and it’s hard to believe with this many allegations he’ll come back,” Shalit said.
Shalit highlighted two key issues surrounding the allegations against Wallace.
“There’s the issue of his alleged behaviour and as you rightly assert, alleged and due process will decide whether the behaviour was or was not,” he told GB News.
The talent manager emphasised the historical nature of the claims, which date back 17 years, showbiz reporter Stephanie Takyi told GB News.
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Thirteen historic allegations of inappropriate behaviour have been made against Wallace, with the BBC having previously warned him about his conduct in 2018.
Shalit pointed to changing standards in the television industry as his second key observation.
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“I am pleased to say that I hear very little, if any, inappropriate behaviour now,” he told GB News.
“I hear it historically, but I haven’t heard any recently at all. I’m in the front representing a lot of people, but I think times have changed now,” he added.
The talent manager noted there is now “a lot more responsibility from people both in front of and behind the camera.”
Production company Banijay UK announced Wallace would step away from MasterChef while an “immediate, external review” investigates the allegations.
Wallace broke his silence on Instagram, saying: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support.”
The presenter’s lawyers have stated that “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will still be broadcast as planned.
Former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark is among the complainants, alleging Wallace made “jokes of a sexualised nature” during her 2011 Celebrity MasterChef appearance.
Wark told the BBC the comments were made on two occasions in front of contestants and crew, stating they were “really, really in the wrong place”.
TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, who appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, has also come forward with allegations about Wallace’s behaviour on set.
The BBC said it takes any issues raised “seriously” and has “robust processes in place to deal with them”.
