Gregg Wallace has stood by his risqué jokes while expressing regret for his behavior on the MasterChef show. He admitted to acting “foolish, defensive, and arrogant” upon being removed from the program.
Acknowledging that some of his jokes on the show had sexual connotations involving food items like ‘spotted dick’ and ‘nuts,’ Wallace argued that food inherently lends itself to innuendo. He cited Channel 4’s Bake Off as another program with similar humor.
Wallace clarified that he never intended to make anyone uncomfortable and now understands why contestants may have refrained from challenging his behavior out of fear of impacting their chances of winning. He also admitted fault in labeling those who raised concerns about his behavior as “middle-class women of a certain age.”
Reflecting on his actions, Wallace acknowledged that he felt cornered and reacted inappropriately, realizing the hurtfulness of his behavior. Despite adapting to what he perceived as the show’s culture, he expressed confusion over his downfall and questioned the standards by which he was judged.
The former BBC presenter, who was let go following multiple complaints, including inappropriate language and behavior, has transitioned to a new career as a personal trainer and shares healthy recipes on social media. In a detailed apology, Wallace downplayed the severity of the allegations against him.
He explained specific incidents, such as wearing only a shirt and sock in a closed studio years ago, and a physical contact incident at a party, emphasizing his belief in the consensual nature of his actions. Wallace also mentioned instances where he was found in a state of undress and joked about the program’s lively atmosphere.
Despite the colorful and sometimes sexual banter on set, Wallace defended his actions as being part of the show’s culture, similar to other TV programs. He expressed regret for his dismissive remarks towards complainants and recognized his failure to listen and respect others.
Wallace highlighted a change in rules in 2018, resulting in a warning for his language and behavior. He felt blindsided by the shift in attitudes and struggled to understand why his conduct, previously accepted, was suddenly deemed problematic.
In conclusion, Wallace expressed remorse for causing distress and acknowledged his shortcomings in addressing inappropriate behavior. He questioned the clarity of the standards by which he was judged and the evolving nature of workplace culture.