Kirsty Wark has said she still feels haunted by her stint on MasterChef. The former Newsnight presenter was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011.
She reached the final round, but Phil Vickery (the rugby player) eventually won. When The Observer previously asked if she was still haunted by her appearance on the show, she replied: “Totally.”
And although she referred to her cooking and whether she seemed to be a “Domestic Goddess”, it would be well over a decade later before she shared her discomfort with MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace’s behaviour.
Kirsty has accused Gregg of making inappropriate sexual comments, BBC News reported. She claimed he told “sexualized” jokes while filming the show. Gregg, 60, has denied making comments of a sexual nature.
Speak with BBC news in November, she said there were two occasions when he told stories and inappropriate jokes in front of the contestants and crew. The broadcaster said it strongly believes the comments were “really, really in the wrong place”.
The former Newsnight presenter, who stepped down from her role on the flagship news program earlier this year after 30 years, is one of 13 people, including Kirstie Allsopp, who have told the BBC about inappropriate sexual comments made by Wallace in a series of shows. over a period of 17 years.
BBC News has reported other allegations, including the presenter “talking openly about his sex life”, taking off his top in front of a female employee and saying he “wanted to give her a fashion show”, and telling a young female colleague he didn’t wore clothes. any boxer shorts under his jeans”.
Last month it was announced that Gregg would step away from presenting MasterChef while complaints from individuals at the BBC over historical allegations of misconduct are investigated, according to production company Banijay UK.
The company said Gregg is “committed to fully cooperate throughout the process.”
The BBC said it takes all issues raised ‘seriously’ and will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour. Gregg has co-presented MasterChef with John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
Following a backlash on social media for his comments dismissing his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age,” the host issued a heartfelt apology.
In his Instagram video, Gregg expressed his regret, saying: “I would like to apologize for any offense I may have caused with my post yesterday and for any upset I may have caused.
“I wasn’t in a good place when I posted it. I experienced a lot of stress and a lot of emotions. I felt very lonely and harassed yesterday when I posted it. It’s clear to me that I have to do that.” take a moment now while this investigation is still ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Gregg has apparently taken a break from Britain amid ongoing investigations into the misconduct allegations, venturing out on a luxury cruise with his wife Anna.
He shared a snap on Instagram, dressed in a bow tie and smiling as they prepared for an evening of fine dining aboard the luxury Queen Anne ship.
The couple embarked on an enchanting North Sea and Baltic cruise with Cunard, which departed from Southampton on Sunday and visited Paris, Bruges and Rotterdam, culminating in Hamburg, Germany.
Grace Dent will take over Gregg’s role as a judge on Celebrity MasterChef. The 51-year-old will co-host the 20th series of the show alongside John Torode.