Penny Lancaster breaks silence on Gregg Wallace and said others 'let it happen'
Model and Loose Women presenter, Penny Lancaster, has alleged that she was a "victim to some of the bullying and harassment behaviour" by MasterChef judge and presenter Gregg Wallace. Speaking on ITV's Loose Women on Thursday, December 12, the 53-year-old broke her silence after her husband Sir Rod Stewart had described Gregg Wallace as a "bully" on social media, PA reports.
Last month, Sir Rod claimed that the presenter "humiliated" Penny while she appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. The allegation came after it was confirmed that Wallace was stepping away from the BBC programme while the show's production company, Banijay UK, investigated claims of misconduct. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter
Sir Rod's message said: "Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn't you? You're a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart".
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Penny said that she did not know her husband, Sir Rod, was going to make accusations about Wallace's behaviour until she saw a post on Instagram. Speaking on ITV's Loose Women, she said: "I didn't realise my husband had sent that post out until it was out. And of course, you can imagine the influx of inquiries there were.
"I most definitely was witness and victim to some of the bullying and harassment behaviour of Gregg Wallace, and unfortunately, a lot of those involved in the production team were also witness to that, and I really feel that he used his position of power to, I believe, intimidate and cause distress to a lot of people on set. And it's really unfortunate that someone like him is allowed to get away with that, and while others sort of stand by and let it happen at the same time."
Penny then noted that she was "in shock" by Sir Rod's message. She added: "I felt a little bit vindicated that something was put out there, going back to sort of that whole Me Too [movement], it's shocking to think how many women do suffer in the hands of... [men] in a powerful position and are too afraid to talk out. They don't feel at the time that they're going to be supported or listened to. So sometimes it can take a few years later for someone to mention something. It gives the other victims and people that have suffered the confidence to come forward."
BBC bosses previously said the corporation will not "tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect" and will continue to champion "a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful". A memo sent to staff by the BBC director-general, Tim Davie, and Charlotte Moore, chief content officer, said the corporation would be supporting MasterChef producer Banijay UK in its investigation.
Last week, Wallace apologised for claiming complaints about his behaviour came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age", adding he will "take some time out". Lawyers for Wallace have previously strongly denied "he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", according to BBC News.
The PA news agency understands that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is looking to impose new standards in the creative industry, amid the allegations, with a new independent body needing stronger legal powers in order to hold the sector accountable. The Labour politician said she was prepared to challenge the sector if the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) did not receive appropriate support following her meeting with them on Wednesday.
A DCMS spokesperson said: "The Culture Secretary had a constructive conversation with attendees and hopes this will be the start of an ongoing dialogue on how the government can support CIISA as it looks to implement its new behaviour standards across the industry."
