The allegations against BBC Masterchef host Gregg Wallace as fresh claims emerge

MasterChef star Gregg Wallace has stepped down amid an investigation into misconduct claims. The BBC announced the star would be stepping back from the programme after confirming today they had launched a probe into Gregg in the summer after claims were made regarding five shows between 2005 to 2022.

His lawyers have said the claims are false. Several allegations have been made, including by BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark. She has said he told "sexualised" jokes during filming while she was on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

She said the comments were "really, really in the wrong place". Other accusations made against the star including him allegedly making inappropriate sexual comments across a range of shows over a 17-year period.

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BBC News said it had been told of other allegations, including the presenter “talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans”.

Fresh claims have emerged that the presenter is alleged to have mimicked a sex act while the alleged victim was kneeling down in front of him, as reported by the Telegraph.

Gregg's lawyers have branded the latest claims as false but the MasterChef host has stepped away from the hit cooking series while a separate investigation is carried out. MasterChef production company Banijay UK said complaints have been made this week in relation to "historical allegations" of misconduct while on the show.

The company has now launched its own "immediate, external review" into his so-called behaviour. The company said: "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."