TV presenter Gregg Wallace stepped away from internet hosting MasterChef final yr after a variety of historic complaints got here to mild. Nonetheless, it has now been reported that the BBC has dropped him following an investigation, regardless of being cleared of groping claims.
In November, he stepped again from presenting the favored cooking present after claims of alleged misconduct, which sparked an exterior investigation by the present’s manufacturing firm, Banijay UK. The 60-year-old posted a defiant assertion at the moment forward of the publication of the abstract of a report into the claims, saying he has been cleared of the “most critical and sensational accusations”.
He stated on Instagram: “I’ve taken the choice to talk out forward of the publication of the Silkins [sic] report – a choice I don’t take frivolously. After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I can not sit in silence whereas my popularity is additional broken to guard others.”
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Gregg claimed: “I’ve now been cleared by the Silkins (sic) report of probably the most critical and sensational accusations made towards me. Probably the most damaging claims (together with allegations from public figures which haven’t been upheld) have been discovered to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.
“To be clear, the Silkins Report exonerates me of all the intense allegations which made headlines final yr and finds me primarily responsible of inappropriate language between 2005 and 2018.”
He later added: “I used to be employed by the BBC and MasterChef because the cheeky greengrocer. An actual individual with heat, character, tough edges, and all.
“For over 20 years, that authenticity was a part of the model. Now, in a sanitised world, that very same character is seen as an issue.”
A BBC spokesperson stated: “Banijay UK instructed the regulation agency Lewis Silkin to research allegations towards Gregg Wallace. We won’t remark till the investigation is full and the findings are printed.”
The Solar reported that Gregg’s report is formally due for launch on Thursday, 10 July. In keeping with an insider, Gregg and his crew have been given an “early steer”.
The supply stated: “Gregg is each livid and devastated about how issues have performed out. His crew have seen the report and imagine he’s cleared of probably the most critical wrongdoing allegations, so he has taken nice comfort from that.
“While he isn’t excusing his inappropriate feedback and innuendos – a few of which he has been discovered towards – on his latest autism analysis, this has been a mitigating issue.
“He has additionally been cleared of a few of the greater profile allegations, together with these introduced on by Penny Lancaster and Kirsty Wark, however the BBC has made it clear there isn’t a manner again for him. He’s devastated.”
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