Earlier this year Gregg Wallace revealed his plans to scale back his MasterChef duties – but insisted he couldn’t see a show without himself and his co-star John Torode at the forefront. 

However, the BBC presenter, 60, has now been left with no choice but to step down from the cooking show amid an investigation into historical misconduct allegations made against him.

The TV chef, who has hosted the cooking show alongside John, 59, since 2005, is currently being probed over inappropriate Sєxual comments he allegedly made to female colleagues at the BBC.

He was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on a separate show last year. 

The BBC say that they have received allegations of inappropriate Sєxual comments from 13 people who have worked with Gregg across a range of shows over 17 years. 

Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, 69, a Celebrity Masterchef contestant in 2011, said he told ‘Sєxualised’ jokes during filming. But Gregg’s lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in Sєxually harᴀssing behaviour.

Earlier this year Gregg Wallace revealed his plans to scale back his MasterChef duties (pictured last year)

But at the time the BBC presenter, 60, insisted he couldn’t see a show without himself and his co-star John Torode (left) at the forefront (both pictured July)

Gregg has previously denied making any Sєxual comments and Masterchef’s production company, Banijay UK, said he is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’.

The misconduct allegations come after the star, who also features on the panel of MasterChef: The Professionals, revealed his plans to scale back his duties on the show. 

Speaking to Heat Magazine in February, Gregg was asked if he could see himself presenting MasterChef for the next two decades, to which he claimed he and John may be ‘too old to do it all the time’.

He said: ‘I think what will happen as we get older is they’ll start bringing us out for the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and maybe the finals.’

‘We may be too old and infirm to do it all the time.’

He added at the time: ‘But I cant ever see there being a MasterChef without us.’ 

The celebrity chef has not publicly addressed stepping down as of yet, but he was posting as normal on Thursday morning, telling his followers about his plans for the day.

The star said he had woken up at 6am and had a shower and a coffee before going live on Instagram at 7am.

However, the MasterChef star has now been left with no choice but to step down from the cooking show amid an investigation into historical misconduct allegations made against him

The TV chef, who has hosted the cooking show alongside John, 59, since 2005, is currently being probed over inappropriate Sєxual comments he allegedly made to female colleagues at the BBC

He then told his followers how he had a management meeting at 8am before having breakfast and heading to his gym and pool. 

Updating his followers as normal, he then told them that he was going for a walk in the garden and filming a promo clip for his ready meals.

Read More How Gregg Wallace has enjoyed a VERY complicated love life with his four wives as he steps down from MasterChef amid misconduct probe

As news broke that he would be stepping down, Gregg told his followers he would be having a tuna sandwich for lunch before a 20-minute nap and a 30-minute read.

He was also planning to do a coaching weight loss session before having dinner and going to bed at 8pm.

Gregg also shared a cooking video from his ‘Gregg Wallace health’ page, in which he was singing along and teaching his followers how to make prawn tacos with pineapple salsa.

And three days ago, he shared a portrait of his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, who is 22 years younger than him, with the simple caption ‘Anna’.

Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, which is currently on BBC One, will transmit as planned into December.

In a statement to the PA news agency, 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.’

The misconduct allegations come after the star, who also features on the panel of MasterChef: The Professionals, revealed his plans to scale back his duties on the show (Gregg and John pictured in April)

Speaking to Heat Magazine in February, Gregg was asked if he could see himself presenting MasterChef for the next two decades, to which he claimed he and John may be ‘too old to do it all the time’ (pictured last year)

‘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.’

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.’

The BBC claims that Gregg walked away from MasterChef on Thursday after BBC News sent a letter to his agent on Tuesday, setting out allegations from 13 people and giving him a right of reply.

The celebrity chef has not publicly addressed stepping down as of yet, but he was posting as normal on Thursday morning, telling his followers about his plans for the day 

They say he was warned after a complaint was raised in 2018, but new historical claims emerged over the summer of 2024.

The BBC has said it takes any issues that are raised with it ‘seriously’.

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.’

‘We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.’

‘Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.’