has temporarily been dropped from hosting while historical allegations of misconduct are investigated, the show production company Banijay UK said.
The, 60, “is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process”.
Banijay UK, which produces the hit programme, said it was conducting “an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.”
It said: “While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.”
Express Online takes an inside look into the allegations made against the TV chef.
BBC MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has stepped down from the show (Image: GETTY)
The Daily Telegraph reported the person in question made a formal complaint to the broadcaster about the incident, which took place more than a decade ago.
Wallace allegedly wandered into the MasterChef studio “completely naked” apart from a “sock pulled over his penis” before throwing himself into a “silly dance”, a report claims.
He is also accused of mimicking a sex act in front of a member of the show’s production staff who was kneeling down to clean his trousers during filming, it is alleged.
The publication also states it has spoken to a witness who claims to have seen both of these alleged incidents. Wallace was also said to be “very touchy feely”, the newspaper quotes the witness as saying.
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Gregg Wallace is said to be cooperating with the investigation (Image: Getty)
Gregg Wallace is a presenter on BBC’s MasterChef (Image: Getty)
The presenter is also accused of making “disgusting sex-related jokes”, including one about an “aunt” while tasting a contestant’s dish during the show.
The star stepped away from MasterChef after 13 people, including Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, accused him of “wrong” and inappropriate “sexualised” behaviour during filming.
Ms Wark claims that on two occasions, Wallace told stories and jokes of a “sexualised nature” in front of contestants and crew while filming Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. She said his gags and comments were “really, really in the wrong place”.
Wallace has been accused of taking his top off in front of a female worker, saying he wanted to “give her a fashion show” and talking about his sex life to others.
On one occasion, he allegedly told a junior female colleague he wasn’t wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans.
A 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 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 has revealed that 13 people have complained about his conduct while working with him over a 17-year period across five shows, from 2005 to 2022.
Express Online has contacted Mr Wallace’s representatives for comment.