2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Ed Gleave, Lucy Robinson)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott has sprung to the defence of Gregg Wallace amidst allegations of misconduct.
Gregg, who has hosted MasterChef since 2005, is currently taking a break from the show while an external review into allegations of misconduct against him is conducted . The TV personalities worked alongside one another months ago on an episode of Celebrity MasterChef - something which Ainsley has said was a good experience. “It was great.
Absolutely fantastic. The whole operation,” he told the Daily Star as he reflected on his time on the show. The former Ready Steady Cook presenter also shone a light on the format of the show and shared his opinions on the show’s success.
“If you look at a programme, it's been successful for many, many, many years and there's a reason why. And the reason is that the format is fantastic. Being able to go on there and have other people experience your recipes, is what I was really excited about,” he added.
“Sharing that with the guys, the whole crew, including Gregg, was fantastic. That's all I can say. I had a great experience,” Ainsley said, reports the Daily Star .
While 67 year old Ainsley had a positive experience on the show, some MasterChef staff members and former contestants, including celebrities such as Emma Kennedy and Kirsty Wark, have claimed Gregg made them feel uncomfortable on set. In the wake of the controversy, Gregg has stepped back from MasterChef amidst a BBC investigation into the allegations. When asked about potentially taking over the hosting role alongside John Torode, Ainsley expressed his apprehension: “I don't know if I'd do it.
I mean, that is a tough gig, isn't it?,” he queried. Gregg is currently facing allegations from 13 individuals across multiple shows spanning 17 years , as reported by BBC News. Banijay UK, the production company behind the show, stated that Gregg is "committed to fully cooperating throughout the process" during the BBC's investigation.
He has stepped down from his role on the show amid the investigation. Gregg has previously refuted claims of making inappropriate sexual remarks and his legal team told BBC News that “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.” Amid the allegations, two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBC’s schedule .
A BBC spokesperson said: “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.”.
