MasterChef viewers slam ‘poor choice’ of words after Gregg Wallace sexual harassment allegations

MasterChef viewers have been left shocked by the airing of a poorly timed quip about Gregg Wallace.

The MasterChef presenter, 60, has appeared on the show since it began 20 years ago however this week it was announced he’d stepped down after the BBC revealed it was investigating historical allegations of misconduct against him.

Wallace has been accused by 13 people who have worked with him over the years of making inappropriate sexual comments while three women have also claimed he groped them in different incidents on and off set.

Banijay UK, the producers of MasterChef, previously said Wallace was ‘committed to fully cooperating’ with the external review while his lawyers strongly denied ‘he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

This season of MasterChef: The Professionals is currently airing, however a comment on last night’s episode didn’t sit too well with viewers.

During a tasting, judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti referenced Wallace, who was absent for part of the episode.

When trying one contestant’s dish, Marcus finished his serving and said: ‘I’ve eaten all of it.’

Jumping in, Monica then remarked he’d ‘done a Gregg’, a statement then repeated by her co-judge.

Viewers quickly commented on social media about what they heard, with many saying it was unfortunate timing.

‘”I’ve done a Gregg”. Poor choice of words on MasterChef tonight after the breaking news about Gregg Wallace in the past week,’ Paul posted on X.

‘”I’ve done a Gregg”… awkward,’ Ed shared.

‘”I’ve done a Gregg”. I really hope you haven’t,’ Deborah added.

This week comments resurfaced from last year in which Monia, 49, spoke about returning to the series with Marcus, 54, and Wallace after taking a year off.

Joking that Marcus had gone grey since she’d left, she quipped: ‘But I think we all get that for a year working with Gregg.’

She also told OK!: ‘I was missing Gregg’s jokes until the first day of filming. Marcus and I never get the punchlines, so we hear them over and over.’

Earlier this week the BBC confirmed airing episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals was ‘continuing as planned’ however it’s pulled two Christmas specials.

It is unclear if it will broadcast the next season of the main series, which finished filming this week and was due to air in Spring 2025.

Metro has contacted the BBC and Banijay for comment.

MasterChef is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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