GREGG Wallace wandered naked into the MasterChef studio with a sock pulled over his privates, it was claimed tonight.

The telly presenter’s career was hanging by a thread after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.

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Wallace, 60, has stepped down from the hugely popular BBC1 show following complaints from 13 people, including former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, about historical allegations.

One witness claimed Wallace came into the MasterChef studios starkers apart from a strategically placed sock before performing a “silly dance”.

They alleged that he was “very touchy-feely” and made “disgusting sex-related jokes”.

The ex-market trader — who has presented MasterChef since 2005 — is also accused of mimicking a sex act in front of a crew member.

The show’s production company Banijay UK yesterday confirmed an external investigation had been launched, with which Wallace and the BBC are “fully cooperating”.

BBC News — which runs independently of the BBC — said it had received complaints about Wallace dating from 2005 to 2022.

Ms Wark claims that on two occasions Wallace told stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in front of contestants and crew while filming Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. 

She said his jokes and comments were “really, really in the wrong place”.

She added: “I think people were uncomfortable. We were essentially a captive audience.

“People looked embarrassed and just got on with their work. I was actually more angry than anything else, because I thought it was so inappropriate.”

Wallace has also been accused of taking his top off in front of a female worker, saying he wanted to “give her a fashion show”, and openly discussing his sex life.

On one occasion he allegedly informed a junior female colleague that he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.

Wallace’s lawyers say it is “entirely false” that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour.

Banijay UK yesterday confirmed that he will be “stepping away” from the show.

It 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.

“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.

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“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.”

Six weeks ago, The Sun revealed Wallace was warned over “inappropriate sexual comments” he made while on another BBC show, Impossible Celebrities. 

We also revealed that industry trade union Bectu has been investigating allegations about him for more than a year.

I think people were uncomfortable. We were essentially a captive audience

Kirsty Wark

Wallace — married to Anne-Marie Sterpini, who is more than 20 years his junior — hit back, claiming: “The allegations were investigated six years ago and my comments were found to be not sexual. I repeat, not sexual. Thank you everybody for your time.”

Following our article, several people contacted The Sun to speak about their unpleasant experiences with the presenter. One woman accused him of cracking a joke about rape during filming for MasterChef in 2017.

She said: “Gregg was accused of using inappropriate language while the cameras were on.

“He was also accused of making a joke about rape and someone raised a complaint.

“Gregg was then told to apologise about what he’d said. It was incredibly awkward and then it just moved on and no one talked about it again.”

We also received two threatening letters from his lawyers, claiming our reporting was “misleading and defamatory”.

Last year Wallace stepped down from another BBC show, Inside The Factory, amid allegations he was “rude to staff and continued to talk in a derogatory manner, especially to women.”

He is the latest BBC star to face allegations of misconduct, and it comes in the wake of multiple scandals. 

Last night an insider told The Sun: “Of course, these are tricky times but full transparency, speed of action and collaboration are imperative — and this is precisely what the BBC is doing.

“All due processes are being adhered to, and the BBC is fully contributing to the investigation to the extent it has already handed over evidence.

“The corporation has learned its lessons from the past, and the key concerns now are the welfare of anyone who has had a less than positive experience.”

Last night Wallace broke his silence to thank fans supporting him amid the allegations.

He said on Instagram: “I would like to thank all the people getting in touch, reaching out and showing their support. That’s good of you, thank you very much.”

His co-star John Torode has yet to publicly comment after previously distancing himself from Wallace, saying in a podcast: “We’ve never been friends.”

Of course, these are tricky times but full transparency, speed of action and collaboration are imperative

Insider

Yesterday the BBC said in a statement: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.

“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.”

It is another awkward scenario for the BBC, coming in the wake of the Huw Edwards child-sex images scandal. 

There are comparisons to the recent Strictly furore in which pro dancer Giovanni Pernice had to step down during an inquiry into his alleged misconduct. 

He was eventually cleared of intimidating or aggressive behaviour.

It also follows the sacking of Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas after two women came forward complaining that he had ­texted them inappropriately.

The BBC said it won’t pull already recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals which will air, as planned, next month.

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