Gregg Wallace apologises for 'women of a certain age' jibe

MasterChef presenter says he was 'not in a good headspace' when he made the comments regarding complainants

Masterchef host Gregg Wallace
Former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Ulrika Jonsson said the comments displayed 'the arrogance of a man who has zero introspection or self-awareness'
(Image credit: David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images)

"MasterChef" presenter Gregg Wallace has apologised after referring to the people who have complained about his alleged inappropriate behaviour as a "handful of middle-class women of a certain age".

In a video shared on his Instagram account, the 60-year-old apologised for "any offence that I caused" with the comments he made yesterday, adding that he had not been "in a good headspace" at the time. "It's obvious to me I need to take some time out now, while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope you will accept this apology," he said.

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Emma Kennedy, who won "Celebrity MasterChef" in 2012 and who says she made a complaint about Wallace at the time, said in response to the video: "It doesn't matter what the age of any woman is." Ulrika Jonsson, another former "Celebrity MasterChef" contestant, told The Telegraph that Wallace's comments displayed "the arrogance of a man who has zero introspection or self-awareness".

Even Downing Street weighed in on the row, with a No. 10 spokesperson saying his remarks were "inappropriate and misogynistic". The spokesperson also "confirmed Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the row about his behaviour", the BBC said.

Wallace has stepped back from his role on "MasterChef" while the allegations – including three of inappropriate touching – are investigated by the BBC.

Arion McNicoll is a freelance writer at The Week Digital and was previously the UK website’s editor. He has also held senior editorial roles at CNN, The Times and The Sunday Times. Along with his writing work, he co-hosts “Today in History with The Retrospectors”, Rethink Audio’s flagship daily podcast, and is a regular panellist (and occasional stand-in host) on “The Week Unwrapped”. He is also a judge for The Publisher Podcast Awards.