Gregg Wallace speaks out after Masterchef allegations

Gregg Wallace has broken his silence after being forced to step away from hosting MasterChef while an external review into historical misconduct allegations made against him takes place.

In a short video shared on social media on Thursday, he told his followers: 'I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support. It’s good of you, thank you very much.'

It comes after the BBC received several complaints, including alleged inappropriate sexual comments, against the presenter from 13 people.

Newsnight's Kirsty Wark, who took part in Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, is one of the 13 people who has accused Gregg of 'wrong' and inappropriate 'sexualised' behaviour during filming.

Gregg has also been accused of taking his top off in front of a female co-worker, allegedly telling her he wanted to 'give her a fashion show'.

Meanwhile Rod Stewart, whose wife Penny Lancaster appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, scathingly added to the allegations made against Gregg.

On Thursday, the singer shared a statement which read: 'So Greg [sic] Wallace gets fired from MasterChef. Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn't you?'

'You're a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart'- Yikes!

The 'humiliation' incident Rod is referring to saw Gregg and his co-star John Torode refuse to eat Penny's fried calamari and homemade tartare sauce.

In a resurfaced clip, shared by MailOnline, Penny was brimming with pride and confidence as she thought she was getting off to a promising start. She quipped to the camera: 'I'm doing surprisingly well compared to what I imagined how I'd be doing. I don't want to slip up now.'

However, she was dealt a devastating blow when John declared her sauce inedible. When she served the dish, Penny said: 'That tartare sauce doesn't look like the tartare sauce I'd normally have.'

Gregg informed her: 'You used whole eggs instead of egg yolks,' while John added: 'What I've got in here is a raw egg/oil milkshake. Unfortunately, I can't eat that.'

The incident, which left Penny in tears, occurred in the quarter-finals of Celebrity MasterChef 2021.