The boss of Banijay UK, whose report into Gregg Wallace will publish imminently, addressed the scandal last night at a dinner for press, producers and talent just hours after reports emerged that Wallace has been fired from MasterChef.
Speaking to a room packed full of journalists and some of his staff, Patrick Holland said an executive summary, not the full report, will be published “soon.”
While declining to comment further on reports that Wallace has been fired and that 50 more women have come forward with allegations, Holland said “we need to do all we can to ensure that everyone in production in the most junior roles feels confident to call out bad behavior.”
Holland added: “The culture of television has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Whilst we should never be complacent there are now myriad ways for those who experience bad behavior in the workplace to speak out, whether anonymously, via a hotline, or to dedicated welfare officers.”
The timing of Banijay’s dinner could have been better. Just two hours before it kicked off at a swanky rooftop restaurant in London’s Covent Garden, BBC News published further allegations about MasterChef host Wallace based on evidence from 50 people.
BBC News’ lengthy report included testimony from 11 women who accused the established British TV presenter of inappropriate sexual behaviour, including groping and touching.
Wallace hit back even before the publication of the BBC News article. He denied the fresh claims, accusing BBC News of “peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories.” He added that the upcoming Banijay report had cleared him of the most “serious and sensational” accusations.
Banijay launched the review late last year when initial allegations were made against Wallace about “inappropriate sexual comments” on five shows across a 17-year period. Wallace’s lawyers have always denied that he engaged in behavior of a “sexually harassing nature.”
The scandal has reignited debates in the UK TV industry about bad behavior, with much debate taking place on TV News and radio this morning.
Philippa Childs, who runs the Bectu union, said: “Misogyny, intimidation, ageism and sexual harassment should have no place in modern workplaces. Yet time and again we have seen issues running rampant – propped up by inadequate reporting mechanisms, a lack of accountability and an industry that enables extreme power dynamics and ‘untouchable’ talent.”
She added that “important steps” are incoming in the form of this week’s announcement that the UK government is banning NDAs silencing workplace abuse.
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