Popular TV chef tipped as favourite to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef amid misconduct allegations

ok.co.uk:

Gregg Wallace's main TV rival is said to be taking the lead in the running to replace him on MasterChef, as Wallace faces an external review over historical misconduct allegations and new claims of harassment.The 60-year-old presenter, who has temporarily stepped away from the BBC cooking show, has been accused of touching a woman's bottom at an event and making unwanted contact with another woman while filming a different show.

His lawyers have strongly denied the allegations, stating that it is "entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature".

However, several MasterChef staff members and former contestants, including celebrities Emma Kennedy and Kirsty Wark, have come forward claiming that Wallace made them feel uncomfortable on set.

Furthermore, Wallace's ghostwriter, Shannon Kyle, made additional accusations against him on Newsnight, alleging that he asked a British Sign Language interpreter to sign inappropriate phrases, including "big boobs" and "sexy bum", at the BBC Good Food Show in 2012. "There was a British Sign Language interpreter there and he wandered over to her at one point and just said: 'Do you have to sign everything I say?' And she said yes, and then he just started saying, 'big boobs', 'sexy bum' – this sort of thing, in order to get her to sign it.