Ex-MasterChef contestant condemns BBC for ‘over-reacting’ to the Gregg Wallace sexism storm by axing Christmas particular – having identified about claims in opposition to him since 2013

A former MasterChef contestant has slammed the BBC for axing this year’s Christmas special and accused the corporation of over-reacting to the sexism storm around Gregg Wallace.

The Corporation announced yesterday that it would be axing its festive celebrity episodes- but a former semi-finalist has hit out at the decision claiming it’s a ‘classic BBC’ move. 

The contestant, who did not want to be identified, says the BBC had known about claims against Wallace as far back as 2013 and did nothing – and now accused them of going too far in scrapping the Christmas shows and disappointing fans.

She claimed that the corporation ‘knew exactly what he was like’ when they hired him and were ‘all laughing along with him’ when he repeatedly made crude innuendos and gestures on set. 

She said his nickname on set amongst producers was ‘Dirk’ after Dirk Diggler from film Boogie Nights about a porn star from the 1970s and said he was encouraged by staff to make risqué sexual innuendos.

She claimed the Wallace was guilty of nothing more than telling a few ill-considered ‘dad jokes’.

She told MailOnline: ‘This is classic BBC. They knew about these allegations as far back as 2012 and sat on their hands and did nothing. Now they are over-reacting and scrapping the Christmas special.

‘And what about the rest of the series? Are they going to not show that too, which robs the current contestants of their grand finale, their moment to shine.

‘It is such a massive thing to so many people that the further you proceed with it, it becomes really, really important to you. So for those people that were involved in it will be absolutely gutted, especially if they choose to never air it.’

The underfire grocer turned broadcaster stepped down from his presenting gig last week amid a series of sexual harrassment allegations that are currently being investigated.

The claims include making ‘inappropriate sexual jokes’, asking for the phone numbers of female members of staff and allegedly walking naked on to a set with only a sock on his penis. Three different women working in production have also accused him of groping them on set.

The 60-year-old has fiercely denied allegations, which span a 17-year period, with his lawyers claiming ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

But on Tuesday night, Wallace faced allegations from three more women who spoke to the BBC.

The latest allegations include one woman who said Wallace groped her, another who claims he pressed his crotch against her while filming BBC show Eat Well For Less and a third who alleged he flashed her in his dressing room.

The BBC say they put the latest claims to Wallace on Saturday, but he has not responded. MailOnline has also contacted his representatives, MasterChef producer Banijay UK and the BBC.

Breaking his silence over the weekend, Wallace hit out at complainants claiming they were being made by ‘middle class women of a certain age’ which has since been slammed as ‘thinly veiled misogyny.’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer even waded in on the row blasting his comments as ‘completely inappropriate and misogynistic’ forcing Wallace to apologise claiming he was ‘not in a good headspace’ when he made the video.

Since his departure was first announced, even more claims have been raised from high profile celebrity figures to production staff working on his shows.

But now a former contestant has stepped up in defence of Wallace, claiming the reports have become a ‘witch hunt’.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, added: ‘He’s being vilified. The BBC act so pious and holier than thou when they knew exactly what he was like and were all laughing and joking about it.

‘They kept him employed for 20 years and the reason he was employed was because he was this cockney, cheeky-chappie.’

She went on: ‘He was never predatory in any way, a typical old school guy making really bad dad jokes and to be honest, John Torode was exactly the same,’ she added.

‘There were instances where I was on camera being spoken to and they were both standing behind the camera, gesturing that they were both masturbating and it wasn’t just Gregg it was John too and everyone in the production team was laughing and joking with them.

‘I think knowing his name was Dirk on set was a pretty good indication that they knew he was making inappropriate jokes – not that I found anything inappropriate.

‘There was never any mention of anyone feeling offended or feeling unsafe or that either of them were being predatory. It was just two older blokes having a great time on a job they loved with a production team they were really close with all having a laugh.’

There has been mounting pressure for the BBC to cancel all shows with Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton and a member of Parliament’s culture, media and sport committee, claiming that airing the show could be ‘triggering’ for those women making complaints.

This afternoon, the BBC confirmed Celebrity MasterChef Cook Off and a MasterChef Strictly Festive Extravaganza, both billed for an hour slot over the festive period, would no longer be shown.

The episodes were set to feature celebrities such as The Wanted singer Max George, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, reality star Luca Bish and comedian Shazia Mira.

The second was set to feature Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse setting a challenge.

It is understood the celebrities involved are being spoken to about the reasons behind the change in programming, and that no changes will be made to iPlayer content.

It has also cancelled the rerun of three episodes of Inside The Factory, a show Wallace hosted until he dramatically left.

MasterChef: The Professionals, however, is set to be continued as planned for now.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: ‘As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.’

The 2010 contestant, however, said it would be unfair for the show not to be aired.

She added: ‘I would feel sorry for the contestants because they would have worked really, really hard to get on that show and it’s something they all take really seriously and for it not to be shown would be a kick in the teeth for them.

‘Especially if people end up doing well with it, you can end up in the cookbook, doing private catering courses, etc. I got to the semi-finals and benefited massively from it so those people who go even further, they could end up missing out.

‘There are so many hopes and dreams pinned on doing well in it – so it will be devestating for those who got to the final, who put so much effort into it.’

Wallace stepped down from the show last Thursday after it was revealed that 13 people, including Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, accused him of ‘wrong’ and inappropriate ‘sexualised’ behaviour during filming.

Since the allegations were made, Gregg has ‘committed to fully cooperating throughout the process’, the show’s production company Banijay UK said.

In October Wallace vehemently denied that he had made inappropriate sexual comments towards women, declaring that he would never ‘flirt with’ or ‘hit on’ another woman and: ‘I didn’t say anything sexual’.

A BBC spokesperson 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 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.’

Banijay UK, the show’s production company, said the complaints were made to the BBC this week 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.’