A TV chef rumoured to be in the running to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef has criticised the “disingenuous” and “ridiculous” reactions to the recent controversy. Wallace stepped back from his role as a judge on the popular cooking show while the BBC investigates claims of inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour, which he strongly denies.
His lawyers have stated: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
Meanwhile, Andi Oliver, known for her work on the Great British Menu, spoke to the Mail, urging people not to overreact about the situation. Touted by the Mail’s Richard Eden as a potential new face on MasterChef, Andi remarked: “The thing to do is not be too melodramatic about it.
“Gregg Wallace is not the only person who’s been given a licence to behave in ways that are inappropriate. And for everybody to pretend that he is a kind of lone wolf is disingenuous and a bit ridiculous, really.”
She further emphasised the importance of creating “good, productive, safe spaces” instead of focusing negatively on the former greengrocer.
Alison Boshoff of the Daily Mail had previously noted that MasterChef executives were considering either Andi or critic Grace Dent to join John Torode for the upcoming series, reports the Mirror.
The BBC initially reported that the allegations involved 13 people over a period of 17 years. However, last week, it emerged that Wallace faced additional claims, leading to the MasterChef Christmas specials being pulled from the schedule.
Banijay UK, the production company behind the show, has expressed its commitment to “committed to fully co-operating” with the ongoing review. In light of the situation, past comments by celebrity chef Marcus Wareing about Wallace have come back into focus, though he had not commented on the recent allegations as of last week.
Prior to the 15th series of The Professionals in 2023, Wareing remarked: “If it was just me and Monica, then we’re good at predicting the winner, but because Gregg is in the mix, it f***s it all up a bit. We have times where we do disagree but everyone’s entitled to their point of view.”
Andi Oliver isn’t the only name being linked to the MasterChef role; Robert Walton, a restaurateur and president of the Restaurant Association, told the Mail he’s considered a “safe pair of hands”. Known as the ‘godfather of hospitality’, Walton admitted he didn’t know Wallace personally but was acquainted with his co-star, John Torode, and expressed his eagerness to work on television, confident that he “can deliver”.
In an unexpected turn of events, another potential candidate for the judging position has expressed interest – none other than the iconic rapper Snoop Dogg. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, he assured fans that you “better believe” he’s up for becoming the new judge on the show.
“You better believe Snoop could be the new MasterChef judge,” declared the ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ star. “My boy Gordon [Ramsay] judges on the US version of the show, and I know he would back me to be able to judge on the UK version.”