Janet Street Porter has branded Gregg Wallace’s excuse for his behaviour on MasterChef as ‘disastrous’ – and compared him to another BBC star in the process
Janet Street Porter has labelled Gregg Wallace’s justification for his conduct on MasterChef as “disastrous”. The 60-year-old TV personality was dismissed from the popular BBC programme following an inquiry that upheld 45 out of 83 accusations levelled against him.
The allegations ranged from unwelcome physical contact to instances of inappropriate undress. While Gregg has since expressed regret, he firmly maintains that he is “not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher”.
Following the launch of the investigation, Gregg disclosed his autism diagnosis. He criticised the showrunners for failing to “investigate my disability” or safeguard him from what he now perceives as a “protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment”.
In a chat with The Sun, he admitted: “I know I struggle to read people. I know people find me weird. Autism is a disability, a registered disability.”
He further attributed the claim that he “never wears pants” to his autism, explaining: “It’s not sexualised. It’s hypersensitivity – that happens with autism.”
However, Janet Street Porter, 78, took issue with Gregg’s defence during her appearance on Times Radio. She drew parallels between the MasterChef probe and an investigation into allegations made against Russell Brand.
Earlier this year, the BBC issued an apology after examining eight complaints about the former 6 Music presenter. Of these complaints, two were lodged during his tenure at the corporation.
Former Celebrity MasterChef winner Janet has spoken out, saying: “Back then anybody working class, first of all you were regarded as a bit thick. He has no justification, his justification for everything has been disastrous, absolutely disastrous.”
She continued to draw parallels with another celebrity, stating: “He’s exactly like Russell Brand, he’s in his own world and they just do not see it. They do not see it. There’s plenty of people like that.”
The BBC parted ways with both Gregg and his ex-colleague John Torode following an inquiry into their behaviour on MasterChef. The investigation, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found merit in a complaint alleging John used racist language eight years prior.
John however denies the allegation, and says he has “no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened”. Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his “sacking”, John said: “Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.
He expressed disappointment over how the situation was handled, adding: “The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong. I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in last few days seem to have prevented that.”
Despite the controversy surrounding Gregg, the BBC has announced that the new series of MasterChef will still be broadcast next month.
A BBC spokesperson stated: “After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.”
The broadcaster acknowledged the complexity of the decision, saying: “This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.”
The spokesperson continued: “However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”
The corporation has yet to make any announcement regarding the Christmas or celebrity versions of the programme.