Gregg Wallace has stood by his suggestive jokes while expressing regret for his behavior on the TV show MasterChef. Wallace admitted to being “foolish, defensive, and arrogant” after being removed from the program.
He acknowledged that some of the jokes on the show contained ‘sexual’ references to items like ‘spotted dick, nuts, the rim of a glass, little tarts,’ but argued that food inherently lends itself to innuendo. Wallace pointed to Channel 4’s Bake Off as another show where similar humor is used.
While Wallace claimed he never intended to make anyone uncomfortable, he now understands why contestants might have been reluctant to challenge his behavior for fear of affecting their chances on the show. He admitted his mistake in labeling those who raised concerns as “middle-class women of a certain age.”
Wallace reflected on feeling “cornered” and reacting impulsively, acknowledging that his actions were hurtful and misguided. Despite dedicating two decades to his on-screen persona, he expressed confusion over the sudden shift in standards that led to his dismissal from the BBC.
The former MasterChef host emphasized that the banter and humor on the show were typical of the industry and claimed he was simply following the expected norms of the environment. Wallace shared his surprise at the change in expectations following a warning in 2018 for inappropriate language, a shift he found difficult to comprehend.
Wallace expressed remorse for any distress he caused, recognizing his failure to consider the impact of his actions and the power dynamics at play. He questioned the clarity of the standards by which he was judged and highlighted the evolving nature of workplace culture.
In contrast, Wallace’s co-host John Torode faced criticism for using a racially offensive term, leading to a complaint and subsequent repercussions. Wallace and Torode’s experiences reflect a broader conversation around workplace behavior and accountability in the entertainment industry.