MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace has reportedly told friends he ‘expects to be sacked’ following an investigation into his alleged sexual harassment. Several women have now come forward about his behaviour, prompting a review.
The show’s production firm Banjay UK launched a probe last month as allegations surfaced, although Gregg denies any wrongdoing. Despite this, it’s been reported that he’s expressed to those close to him that he doesn’t see himself being allowed to return to the show. A source told The Sun: “Gregg’s conceded he has lost everything. To put it bluntly, he’s told people, ‘I’m f***ed’”.
“He came out swinging but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside.” The source claimed that Gregg ‘never meant to cause any offence’.
“He has contested the sexual allegations and insisted any jokes he made were just jokes. He said he never meant to cause any offence. Gregg has been under a huge amount of pressure since the allegations came to light and tried his best to fight his corner.”
The source went on to say that the BBC and Banijay UK have spoken to a number of different individuals “and they know they must be seen to take action.”
“Gregg knows the time will come when he has to step aside and as much as that pains him, it seems he has come to terms with it.”
Work on the next series of MasterChef is said to be underway, as a separate source claimed to the publication that casting had started for the celebrity series not long after the probe into Gregg’s conduct.
“While the probe is ongoing, it has been made clear to production that John is going to be staying and that a female will step into Gregg’s role,” they claimed.
OK! has contacted Gregg Wallace's representatives for comment.
On Thursday night, 12 December, Gregg made an appearance on screen for the pre recorded final of MasterChef: The Professionals. The nail biting final saw 29-year-old Dan Merriman take the crown as he overcame competition from 31 other chefs to become the 18th winner of the BBC cooking show.
Despite the final being aired, after the allegations against Gregg surfaced, the BBC made the decision to pull two MasterChef Christmas specials from their scheduling.
A BBC spokesperson shared: "As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them."
