Gregg Wallace issues apology following controversial comments about ‘women of a certain age’ after complaints

Gregg Wallace, who has recently stepped down from his role as co-presenter of cooking show Masterchef, has apologised following his comments about 'women of a certain age'.

Wallace is currently under investigation after complaints were made against him 'in relation to historical allegations of misconduct' from some who had worked with him in the past across TV shows he had presented, according to the show's producer, Banijay.

The 60-year-old has now posted a video addressing his claims made over the weekend about allegations being made against him, which you can view here:

In the original social media video on Sunday (1 December), he claimed: “I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life.

"Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time.

"In the newspapers, 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."

But now, the former Masterchef host has addressed these claims, speaking in a video posted on Instagram today (2 December): "I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.

"I wasn't in a good head space when I posted it I've been under a huge amount of stress a lot of emotion I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it.

"It's obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope you accept this apology," he pleaded.

He says that he will be taking a step back from social media (greggawallace/Instagram)

The announcement that Wallace would be stepping away from the TV show was swiftly followed by a BBC News report that detailed allegations from 13 people claiming Wallace had made sexual comments, including a broadcaster.

A statement from Banijay read: “Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.

“While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process."

They also explained that other incidences have been 'brought to our attention' which are being 'thoroughly investigated'.