Gregg Wallace was the explanation I give up TV, says former presenter Melanie Sykes: MasterChef contestant labels choose ‘unprofessional’ with ‘an additional serving to of vanity’

Melanie Sykes has claimed an encounter with Gregg Wallace was the reason she walked away from the television career. 

The former presenter, 54, appeared on Celebrity MasterChef 2021, and claimed Wallace greeted her on the show by asking if models eat, which she said she found ‘unprofessional’ and lined with ‘ignorance and disrespect’. 

Sykes also said the grocer-turned broadcaster, 60, spent time ‘barking orders’ in such a manner that made her want to leave. 

She said she made an informal complaint against Wallace, and claimed she found some of the conduct on the set ‘jaw-dropping’, The Telegraph reported. 

It comes as a former MasterChef staffer, who worked on the show from 2007 to 2010, told The Sun she was aware of at least six production members who raised concerns about Wallace’s conduct.

Sykes is best known for the Boddingtons advert in the 1990s and as the co-host of Today with Des and Mel in the early 2000s. 

She made the comments about Wallace in her autobiography, titled Illuminated, which was published last year, and expanded on them in recent days in a video posted on YouTube. 

In her book, Sykes wrote: ‘The MasterChef experience continued to be an eye-opener, and some unprofessional behaviour on set was jaw-dropping.’ 

In her recent YouTube video she said that ‘every time Gregg came over to the desk, I didn’t really like him being around really because it’s all about vibrations and energy’.

Former television presenter Melanie Sykes appeared on Celebrity MasterChef 2021 (pictured)

Sykes (centre) claimed Gregg Wallace greeted her on set by asking if models eat, which she said she found ‘unprofessional’

Gregg Wallace (pictured) last week stepped away from hosting the show after nearly 20 years. His absence comes while allegations of inappropriate comments he made towards staff and celebrity guests over 17 years are investigated 

At the end of filming the show, Sykes claimed she had a brief conversation with Wallace, which was a huge factor in her exit from television. 

Wallace allegedly claimed that appearing on the show would do a lot for her. 

Sykes said: ‘I didn’t know what to say, so I smiled and said yes, but I was really thinking, “Yes, you have finally helped me decide to end my television career once and for all”.’ 

It is not known who Sykes made an informal complaint about Wallace to.  

MailOnline has contacted his representatives for comment.

Wallace last week stepped away from hosting the show after nearly 20 years. His absence comes while allegations of inappropriate comments he made towards staff and celebrity guests over 17 years are investigated. 

The presenter has defended himself against all the allegations against him, pinning the blame on ‘middle class women of a certain age’. But on Monday he apologised for his controversial comments, admitting he was ‘not in a good head space’ when he posted the rant.

Sykes is best known for the Boddingtons advert in the 1990s and as the co-host of Today with Des and Mel in the early 2000s 

Banijay UK, the show’s production company, previously said the complaints were made to the BBC by ‘individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with Gregg Wallace on one of our shows’.

The company said Wallace was ‘committed to fully co-operating throughout the process’.

‘Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate,’ the company said.

‘While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.

‘Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.

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