TV chef Rick Stein has said he feels “a bit sorry” for Gregg Wallace, who recently stepped down from presenting MasterChef amid a string of misconduct complaints.
The 78-year-old restaurateur described Wallace’s situation as “unfortunate” in a new interview, whilst clarifying he had no “skeletons in a cupboard” himself.
Wallace stepped back from the hit BBC One cooking show as production company Banijay UK investigates claims of alleged misconduct.
Stein, who has known Wallace professionally, said his fellow TV personality was “just a different personality to me” and suggested he had struggled to adapt to changing times.
“I think partly he hadn’t really taken on that you can’t say certain things now. It’s not so much that he was a nasty person,” Stein told The Telegraph.
The veteran chef credited his sons for helping him navigate changing social norms: “I’m lucky that I’ve got sons who will instantly tell me, ‘listen, you can’t say this’.”
Rick Stein has admitted having some sympathy for Wallace
PA
“Sometimes you think, ‘I can’t believe this’, and then you think ‘well, that’s the way it is’. There’s no point in getting all stroppy about it,” he added.
While expressing sympathy, Stein distanced himself from Wallace’s alleged conduct: “I feel a bit sorry for him really.
“But I don’t like sleaziness so I’m not saying that about all of Wallace’s behaviour. But he just didn’t realise that the wind had changed.”
The BBC pulled two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials from its schedule in December 2024 following the allegations against Wallace.
Gregg Wallace will not be returning to MasterChef
BBC
Wallace’s lawyers have strongly denied the allegations, telling the BBC “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
Earlier this month, Banijay UK issued a statement addressing their production protocols: “MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors.”
The production company confirmed multiple reporting channels are available: “These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously.
“HR contact details are promoted and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns.”
