MasterChef’s statement in full after Gregg Wallace, 60, steps down from the BBC show amid investigation into allegations he ‘made inappropriate sexual jokes and insults to female staff’

MasterChef has released a statement announcing that Gregg Wallace will be stepping back from the show.

The decision was made after an investigation was launched into historical allegations of misconduct, including alleged inappropriate sexual comments.

Pre-recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, currently showing on BBC One and starring Gregg, will air as planned in December.

While Gregg, 60, has yet to comment, production company Banijay, which is behind the show, released a statement on Thursday.

Read their statement in full:

Banijay UK said: ‘This week the BBC received complaints from individuals regarding historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.

‘While these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we believe it is appropriate to immediately conduct an external review to conduct a full and impartial investigation.

‘While this review is ongoing, Gregg Wallace will step back from his role on MasterChef and commit to cooperating fully throughout the process.

‘Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behavior are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways to raise concerns, including anonymously, and clearly promoted on the set.

“While these are historic allegations, incidents brought to our attention where these expectations are not met are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”

The statement added: ‘If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, they can contact us in confidence at speakup@banijayuk.com.’

The BBC has said it takes all issues it raises ‘seriously’.

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We take all issues raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to address them.

‘We have always been clear that behavior that does not meet the standards the BBC expects will not be tolerated.

‘Where an individual is contracted directly by an external manufacturing company, we will share any complaints or concerns with that company and will always support them in addressing them.’

Already recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, currently showing on BBC One and starring Gregg, will air as planned in December (pictured with John Torode)

Gregg with his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini – the couple are pictured here at the wedding of Lisa Faulkner and John Torode in Banbury, Oxfordshire, in October 2019

Banijay has not revealed the nature of the allegations, but last month it was claimed that the grocer-turned-TV star had bragged about his sex life to a younger female BBC employee and removed his top in front of her.

In October, Gregg vehemently denied making inappropriate sexual comments to women. He stated that he would never “flirt” or “hit” another woman and, “I didn’t say anything sexual.”

That same month, the presenter admitted he was feeling stressed by accusations that he had made inappropriate sexual comments to women.

The chef took to Instagram with a live video in which he gave tips on healthy eating, while also hinting at new accusations made against him this week.

He told viewers he was “a little distracted at the moment” but said he “just wanted to check in and say hello.”

Gregg has been co-presenter and judge of the BBC cooking show MasterChef with John since 2005.

The MasterChef judge married his fourth wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 37, who he calls Anna, at Hever Castle in Kent in 2016.