Masterchef’s former host, Gregg Wallace, has publicly acknowledged that the offensive remark leading to his termination was “foolish, defensive, and conceited.” In his first statement since being fired, Wallace, 61, expressed regret for his actions while asserting that the suggestive humor on Masterchef was no more extreme than that on The Great British Bake Off, a show on Channel 4.
Wallace clarified that his aim was never to make anyone uncomfortable and recognized the reluctance of participants to challenge his behavior during the show, fearing it could impact their chances of winning. Dismissed from the BBC program in July last year over allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior and comments, Wallace vehemently denies the accusations.
In a detailed apology shared on Instagram, the Peckham-raised entrepreneur admitted to his faults, emphasizing the need for listening and understanding in times of criticism. He reflected on his past behavior, attributing it to the culture of the show and his role as a lively and humorous persona.
Discussing the atmosphere on the MasterChef set, Wallace compared the humor to that of Bake Off, highlighting the use of innuendos and sexual jokes in a lively and collaborative environment. He explained that his actions were in line with the expected behavior on set and that he believed his participation was appropriate until the norms seemingly changed in 2018.
Wallace concluded by expressing his intent to make contestants feel at ease and contribute to the show’s dynamic, unaware that his behavior was no longer aligned with the evolving standards.