Gregg Wallace accused of ‘harassment’ in 2022 letter reportedly sent to BBC

MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace was accused of making lewd comments and asking for the personal phone numbers of female production staff in a letter allegedly sent to the BBC by a producer and director in 2022.

The letter, which Dawn Elrick posted to her Shit Men In TV Have Said To Me account on Instagram, collected a number of anonymous accounts from people who claim they have “experienced sexism and sexual harassment within the TV industry.”

It comes after it was announced that Wallace would be quitting the BBC cooking show, while complaints about historical misconduct are externally reviewed by MasterChef producers Banijay UK.

The 60-year-old is also facing allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people in a series of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News, which said it sent a letter to the TV star’s representatives earlier this week had sent.

Wallace’s lawyers say that “it is completely false that he engaged in conduct of a sexually harassing nature.”

In the letter Elrick claimed to have sent to the BBC in 2022, she wrote: “I have noticed a pattern of behavior from one person whose name has been mentioned half a dozen times.

“In relation to lude (sic) comments made against female production members, the fact that female production feels uncomfortable when asked for their personal numbers, having to talk to the talent while the talent is topless and general unrest in his company.

“Gregg Wallace is the name associated with these experiences.

“In addition, we have been informed that this behavior is not limited to production personnel.”

At the end, the letter claimed that the actions “clearly do not meet” the company’s standards on sexual harassment and bullying, and asked the BBC “what action will be taken to ensure that this key talent is aware that this behavior is unacceptable.”

Elrick added: “We don’t need to emphasize how difficult/stressful/upsetting it is for women in production to be put in a position where high-profile talent uses their influence to make very uncomfortable comments.

“While these are not, as highlighted above, official complaints, it is the numbers that have emerged about this one individual that have prompted this letter.

“We tend to make the mistake of believing these stories because there is absolutely no gain to be made by making them up.”

It concluded by saying that some of those affected would be willing to come forward if asked.

Elrick told the Observer that she received the allegations against Wallace through her Instagram account and said the letter was submitted with the support of industry association Bectu.

She told the news company that shortly after sending the letter, she also brought the allegations to the company through Navex Global, a third-party whistleblower service.

Elrick said the BBC suggested that each individual should make their own direct complaint to the company.

She claimed she had received no further contact regarding the report.

A BBC spokesperson said: “When issues are raised with us, we have robust processes in place to address them quickly and appropriately. We will always listen if people want to point something out to us directly.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could be part of or otherwise impact Banijay’s ongoing investigation.”

Wallace took to Instagram on Saturday night with a cryptic post that read, “We are all different.”

News media such as The Sun made further accusations against the TV presenter on Friday about other alleged behaviour.

Allegations were also made by staff members about Wallace’s behavior during Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends at BBC News, with Channel 5 asking the programme’s production company Rumpus Media to investigate the allegations.

Rumpus Media said: “We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior in our productions.

“Our extensive duty of care processes were in place during the production of these series and all issues raised would have been investigated accordingly.”

A statement on the historic allegations from Banijay UK said: “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 undertake an external review to fully and conduct impartial investigations.

“While this review is ongoing, Gregg Wallace will step back from his role on MasterChef and commit to fully co-operating 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 [email protected] in confidence.”

It comes after the production company confirmed on Saturday that law firm had appointed Lewis Silkin to lead an investigation into Wallace’s alleged conduct.