Gregg Wallace enjoys luxury cruise with wife amid ongoing BBC MasterChef scandal
Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace, 60, has been spotted grinning on a luxury cruise dressed to the nines with his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 38, amidst ongoing sexual misconduct allegations and replacement at the helm of MasterChef.
The TV personality, who recently left the BBC cookery show following multiple allegations, posted a now deleted Instagram story of himself and Sterpini aboard the Cunard Queen Anne vessel travelling from Southampton to Hamburg.
Wallace, dressed in a black suit with a red bow tie, briefly shared a social media post about a “date night” with his wife, though the content was swiftly deleted.
The update comes as Wallace faces an investigation into 13 allegations spanning 17 years, which he strongly denies.
The couple embarked on a North Sea and Baltic cruise, with their journey including stops in Paris, Bruges, Rotterdam, before reaching Hamburg.
Wallace had initially shared his excitement about dining at Sir Samuel’s restaurant, known for its steaks and seafood offerings.
The luxury cruise marks a notable public appearance for Wallace, who has maintained a relatively low profile since departing from MasterChef last month.
Wallace stepped down from the role after production company Banijay UK launched an investigation into claims lodged by several women of inappropriate sexual behaviour across the host and judge’s 17-year TV career.
A number of accusations from both high-profile celebrity guests and staff were made against Wallace since the initial allegations became known.
The 60-year-old’s lawyers have previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing, saying: “It is entirely false that he (Wallace) engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
While Wallace and his lawyers have repeatedly stressed his innocence, the BBC presenter has reportedly “quietly conceded” has time at MasterChef is over.
Food critic Grace Dent, 51, has been announced as Wallace’s replacement on Celebrity MasterChef, where she will judge alongside John Torode for the show’s upcoming 20th series.
Torode praised his new co-host on Wednesday, saying: “I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges.”
“The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and that unquestionable expertise, makes Grace the perfect person to step in alongside me,” he added.
Dent expressed her enthusiasm about joining the show, stating: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it.”
“I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic,” she added. “I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”
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Despite the controversy, Wallace has continued to maintain his fitness website, where he recently addressed the topic of Christmas indulgence.
He wrote that we need to “have a conversation” about Christmas, describing it as being “full of temptations”.
The former BBC presenter warned his followers: “That does not mean to say we need to put on a lot of weight. None of us wants to finish this holiday season full of regrets.”
His festive advice concluded with: “Enjoy yourself first and foremost, but try not to hurt yourself while you’re doing it.”
