Dame Prue Leith has slammed “stupid” TV producers for failing to keep celebrities like Gregg Wallace under control.
But the broadcaster, author and restaurateur insisted the MasterChef presenter should not be ‘cancelled or sacked’ over claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour.
The 84-year-old Great British Bake Off host said Wallace does not appear to have broken the law and probably has ‘no idea what he did wrong’.
Amid claims that he will blame undiagnosed autism for his behavior backstage at the BBC, Dame Prue said 60-year-old Wallace was ‘too insensitive’ to understand how offensive he was being.
Thirteen people, including broadcaster Kirsty Wark, have publicly complained about Wallace in the past two weeks, claiming he told sexualised jokes and openly bragged about his sex life.
It is also alleged that he groped women, flashed them and pressed his crotch against colleagues in his dressing room.
Wallace quit the show last week while claims against him are investigated.
Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Prue said producers must be tough on presenters because ‘there is no such thing as an irreplaceable talent’. “It really sucks when talent gets arrogant and thinks they’re too good to fire, because no one is too good to fire,” she said.
Dame Prue Leith has criticized the BBC for failing to keep Gregg Wallace in check as she insists the MasterChef presenter should not be sacked over claims of inappropriate behavior
Dame Prue said Wallace, 60, was ‘too insensitive’ to understand how offensive he was being
‘It is also very stupid of producers to think that they cannot replace them. They are very weak. They can replace Gregg Wallace, they can replace anyone.
“They need to be strict with their presenters and be very clear about whatever the rules are.”
But she warned against regulating shows too strictly, saying it would be “silly” if presenters were forced to stick to a script, leading to “very boring” TV.
Wallace faced further criticism last week for saying on social media that the claims against him came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.”
The comment went viral online and internet sellers soon offered clothing with the slogan “Middle-class woman of a certain age.”
Dame Prue said Wallace should avoid social media because “he’s digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole.”
Wallace’s co-host John Torode said he found the claims against his colleague “really disturbing.”
She added: “He is too insensitive to understand how offensive it is. But that’s his problem, that he’s insensitive. As far as I can tell, he didn’t break the law.
“I don’t believe people should be fired or fired. I understand why you would ask someone to step aside while he or she investigates things. But I bet Gregg has no idea what he did wrong.”
She said he should not be dismissed until the claims against him are investigated, adding: “I don’t know what his crime is.” The BBC has axed the MasterChef Christmas specials and is under pressure to ax the main series.
His co-host, John Torode, said he found the claims against Wallace “truly disturbing” and that the “thought that everyone who has appeared on our show doesn’t have a brilliant experience is appalling.”