The BBC is reportedly facing a “mutiny” from staff inside its own ranks after allegations were levied against Gregg Wallace.
It has been claimed the BBC knew of some accusations since 2012 – 12 years before they came to light in a recent exposé. Now insiders at the company have claimed senior staff could have done more to “forcefully intervene” after complaints were received about the MasterChef star.
Former Celebrity MasterChef contestants claimed they first made the BBC aware of their concerns in 2012. Now sources have claimed to The Telegraph: “The issue is whether they have the will to pull them up on their behaviour and whether there’s ever any will in these cases, where there’s big name talent or senior leaders involved.”
The BBC does not actually produce MasterChef, instead leaving it to independent production company Banijay. But insiders claimed that the BBC, which commissions the show, could have done more to act on allegations.
Conservative chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Caroline Dinenage said: “BBC bosses appear in front of us on a regular basis and at the next opportunity I’m sure members will want to raise the issue of the BBC complaints process and whether it’s protecting the staff who work there or on its behalf.”
While Labour MP Paul Waugh added: “Both BBC staff and the wider public will want to know whether the Corporation’s processes are fit for purpose. And I hope the director-general will have some answers when he’s next before the Committee.”
Wallace, meanwhile, denies all allegations, with his lawyers stating it is “entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
Wallace himself added in an Instagram video: “I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.
“In 20 years, over 20 years of television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on MasterChef, have made sexual remarks, or sexual innuendo? Can you imagine?”
A BBC spokesperson added: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.
“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.”
Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
