Gregg Wallace's MasterChef interaction with former contestant Penny Lancaster has resurfaced following the host stepping away from the show due to an ongoing investigation.
Earlier today (28 November) it was announced that Wallace, 60, would be stepping away from the BBC cooking programme after 19 years at the helm due to a review into allegations of historical misconduct.
Musician Rod Stewart has since shared a scathing reaction to the news on social media, calling Wallace a 'tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully' and accusing him of humiliating his wife Lancaster while she was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef.
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"So Greg [sic] Wallace gets fired from Master Chef," Stewart wrote on Instagram.
He continued: "Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn't you?
"You're a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart."
Following Stewart's statement curious viewers have since delved into Lancaster's time on the programme, which saw her booted out of the competition during the quarter finals back in 2021.
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In one resurfaced clip, Wallace can be seen questioning the presenter on what the cooking arrangements are like between her and Stewart at home.
"Who cooks at home?" Wallace asks, to which Lancaster responded by explaining how Stewart had originally had a personal chef when they first got together, which meant there 'wasn't much need for me in the kitchen'. The admission left Wallace surprised, as the host can be seen raising his eyebrows in shock at the comment.
In another tense moment, Lancaster was struggling for time while battling it out for a place in the semi-final, which meant her butternut squash ravioli was served late to the judges.
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"Mate, we can't be 10 minutes late," Wallace told Lancaster (via Metro) as she scrambled to finish off her dish, calling the delay 'serious'.
Following Lancaster's elimination, the Loose Women panelist admitted she felt 'quite deflated' to be leaving.
Confirming Wallace's departure in a statement earlier today, production company Banijay UK said: "This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.
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"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.
"Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
"Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately."
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The statement added: “If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact [email protected] in confidence."
LADbible Group has contacted representatives for the BBC and Gregg Wallace for comment. Banijay UK has declined to comment further.
Topics: BBC, TV, Entertainment
Brenna Cooper