A statement from the TV show’s production company, Banijay UK, to the PA news agency said that Wallace, who has presented and been a judge on MasterChef UK alongside Australian chef John Torode since 2005, is ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’.
The statement read: “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.
“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 under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating 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 speakupbanijayuk.com in confidence.”
As well as MasterChef, Wallace is also the presenter of its spinoff shows Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.
BBC News reports that it sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday (26 November) setting out allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, said he told ‘sexualised’ jokes during filming.
Wallace’s lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
A BBC spokesman 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.”
The PA news agency reports that recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will transmit as planned, with the next episode due to air on Thursday evening (28 November).