Gregg Wallace probe sees top legal firm hired as Penny Lancaster and Kirsty Wark quizzed

Production institution Banijay UK person reportedly enlisted the assistance of a apical ineligible steadfast arsenic they proceed their probe into Gregg Wallace's alleged behaviour

A apical ineligible steadfast has reportedly been hired to assistance with the probe into Gregg Wallace.

MasterChef's probe into the nether occurrence TV presenter has begun arsenic they look into claims astir his behaviour. A bid of women are acceptable to beryllium interviewed by instrumentality steadfast Lewis Silkin aft they were brought successful by the show's accumulation company. Wallace stepped back from the deed BBC One cooking amusement portion accumulation institution Banijay UK investigated claims of alleged misconduct.

The determination followed alleged intersexual misconduct allegations from 13 women implicit 17 years, including Kirsty Wark. Wallace, who fronted the amusement since 2005, was accused of making "inappropriate intersexual jokes", asking for the fig of pistillate accumulation squad members and getting undressed "too close" to women connected the show.

He besides also been accused of 'groping' 3 women successful abstracted incidents. His representatives said: "It is wholly mendacious that helium engages successful behaviour of a sexually harassing nature." The archetypal signifier of the probe is reportedly underway, with a drawstring of women who complained astir Wallace invited to be to springiness evidence.

It has been claimed Kirsty Wark and Penny Lancaster are among those approached. Banijay UK are hoping to person the probe completed “as rapidly arsenic possible” but admit the process is “very clip consuming”. It is not yet cognize which of the women person agreed to be an interview.

Wallace volition besides beryllium asked for his ain relationship of alleged incidents arsenic archive footage and documents volition beryllium combed through. “The lawyers spent a spot of clip gathering their thoughts and making a program earlier Christmas, and present they are conducting the interviews," a root told the Sun.

“They person approached anyone who antecedently raised concerns, either with the BBC oregon with the accumulation team, but person besides made it wide that anybody with what they judge to beryllium applicable accusation tin besides interaction them. They are sitting down with women from each walks of life, immoderate of whom person spoken retired publically and others who person not been named truthful acold – ranging from inferior producers to large sanction endowment successful their ain right."

Broadcaster Kirsty, champion known for hosting BBC Newsnight, claimed successful November that Wallace told “jokes of a sexualised nature" connected 2 occasions during filming. She added that unit and different contestants were present. Speaking to BBC News, Kirsty said Wallace’s alleged remarks were "really, truly successful the incorrect place".

Kirsty finished 2nd connected that year’s Celebrity Masterchef and aboriginal said she was considering opening her ain restaurant. Sir Rod Stewart alleged the TV presenter had “humiliated” his wife Penny Lancaster erstwhile she was a contestant connected Celebrity MasterChef successful 2021.

He said: "So Greg Wallace gets fired from Masterchef. Good riddance Wallace…You humiliated my woman erstwhile she was connected the amusement but you had that spot chopped retired didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart." Penny said onLoose Women: “I didn’t realise my hubby had sent that station retired until it was out.

"And of course, you tin ideate the influx of inquiries determination were. I astir decidedly was witnesser and unfortunate to immoderate of the bullying and harassment behaviour of Gregg Wallace and, unfortunately, a batch of those progressive successful the accumulation squad were besides witnesser to that. And I truly consciousness that helium utilized his presumption of powerfulness to, I believe, intimidate and origin distress to a batch of radical connected set. And it’s truly unfortunate that idiosyncratic similar him is allowed to get distant with that, and portion others benignant of basal by and fto it hap astatine the aforesaid time."

The Mirror has contacted Banijay UK for comment.

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