Penny Lancaster claims Gregg Wallace ‘used position of power’ to ‘bully and harass’ on MasterChef as she breaks silence
PENNY Lancaster has claimed Gregg Wallace “used his position of power” to “bully and harass” on Celebrity MasterChef as she broke her silence on today’s Loose Women.
Model Penny, 53, previously vowed not to speak publicly about her experience with Gregg but said she would co-operate with production company Banijay’s probe if approached.
However, in an apparent U-turn on today’s ITV show, Penny slammed the greengrocer turned TV presenter after he stepped down from the BBC hit.
His announcement came as Banijay launched an investigation into accusations the 60-year-old made “inappropriate sexual comments” to colleagues over a 17-year period.
And, while her husband Rod Stewart hit out on social media last week, branding Gregg a “tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully”, Penny insisted she knew nothing about it until hours later.
When asked about the post, Penny, who took part in 2021’s Celebrity Masterchef, admitted: “I didn’t realise my husband had sent that post out until it was out. And, of course, you can imagine the influx of inquiries there were.”
She went on to claim she had indeed been a victim of bullying and harassment by Gregg, noting that many involved with the show were also aware of the situation.
The photographer said: “I most definitely was witness – and victim – to some of the bullying and harassment behaviour of Greg Wallace.
“And, unfortunately, a lot of those involved in the production team were also witness to that.”
Penny also suggested Gregg used his position of power to intimidate others on set, which she said caused distress.
She said: “I really feel that he used his position of power to, I believe, intimidate and cause distress to a lot of people on set.”
“It’s really unfortunate that someone like him’s allowed to get away with that, while others sort of stand by and let it happen at the same time,” she added.
The conversation then turned to the impact of Rod’s social media post, which Penny revealed took her by surprise.
She explained: “I was actually on jury service, so you have to turn your phones off completely, so I was sort of, like, off-grid for a period of time.
“When I did turn my phone back on, I got a message from a friend saying, ‘Oh my God, how amazing was that message your husband put out?’ And I’m like, ‘What message? What’s he done?’”
Despite the shock of seeing the post, Penny said: “A day or two afterwards, I felt a little bit vindicated that something was put out there.”
In his surprise Instagram Story, Rod, 79, had vented: “So Gregg Wallace gets fired from MasterChef. Good riddance Wallace.
“You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that cut out didn’t you?
“You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya.”
He signed off the post: “Sir Rod Stewart.”
The first allegations against Gregg came as a female member of staff on Impossible Celebrities came forward with a complaint.
He was accused of talking about his sex life on set and even taking his top off.
He is also said to have told another worker he wasn’t wearing any underwear.
BBC Newsnight host Kirsty Wark is amongst those who have made a complaint.
She revealed how Gregg told “sexualised” jokes while filming Celebrity MasterChef back in 2016, claiming that the comments were “really, really in the wrong place”.
Presenter Aasmah Mir, who hosts on Times Radio and appeared on the culinary competition back in 2017, also fueled speculation she had an unpleasant experience with Gregg when she posted a cryptic message on social media.
She wrote: “Always keep your receipts.”
Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief
GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation?
Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark – accusations he denies.
The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated.
Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the “women of a certain age” who he claimed were behind the allegations.
The cooking show’s production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged misconduct.