BBC warned of Gregg Wallace’s alleged inappropriate behaviour ‘as far back as 2017’ | EUROtoday

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The BBC was warned of Gregg Wallace allegedly making lewd feedback and asking for the non-public cellphone numbers of feminine manufacturing employees in 2022, it has been claimed.

Director and producer Dawn Elrick stated she despatched a letter to the company with quite a few nameless accounts from individuals who alleged they “have experienced sexism within the TV industry”.

The emergence of the letter, shared in a put up on Instagram by Ms Elrick, got here as a report was revealed by the The Times claiming the BBC acquired a criticism over feedback made by Wallace in 2017.

It was reportedly despatched in an e mail by broadcaster Aasmah Mir after she appeared on the twelfth sequence of Celebrity Masterchef.

On Thursday, it was introduced that Wallace was to step away from the BBC cooking present whereas historic misconduct complaints had been externally reviewed by MasterChef producers Banijay UK.

The 60-year-old faces allegations of inappropriate sexual feedback from 13 individuals throughout a variety of reveals over a 17-year interval.

Wallace’s legal professionals say “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

In the letter Ms Elrick claimed to have despatched to the BBC in 2022, she wrote: “I have noticed a pattern of behaviour from one person whose name has been mentioned half a dozen times.

“In connection with lude [sic] comments being made to female production members, female production being made to feel uncomfortable about being asked for their personal numbers, being made to talk to the talent whilst the talent is topless and general unease in his company.

“Gregg Wallace is the name attached to these experiences. Additionally, it has been reported to us that these behaviours are not reserved for production staff.”

Ms Elrick added: “We do not need to stress how difficult/stressful/upsetting it is for women in production to be placed in a position where high profile talent use their clout to make deeply uncomfortable remarks.

“Although these are not, as stressed above, not official complaints, it is the number that have come forward about this one person that has prompted this letter.”

Speaking to The ObserverMs Elrick stated the BBC urged every particular person must make their very own, direct criticism to the company.

Separately, The Times has reported on Mir complaining about feedback made by Wallace throughout filming of the present’s twelfth sequence in 2017, in an e mail that was forwarded to Kate Phillips, who now manages unscripted programmes for the BBC.

“Should anything happen in the future, I don’t want to feel guilty when people say ‘why wasn’t anything said before?’, or for producers or editors to claim they didn’t know,” the e-mail reportedly learn. She additionally wrote: “This must not happen again to another woman.”

In inner emails seen by The TimesMs Phillips stated she would be sure that she was “informed straight away” ought to extra complaints be made towards Wallace.

A BBC spokesperson advised The Independent: “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.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.”

Wallace took to Instagram on Saturday night with a cryptic put up which learn: “We are all different.”

A press release in regards to the historic allegations from Banijay UK learn: “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.

“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”