Gregg Wallace was ‘forced’ to step down from hosting MasterChef, while he’s investigated for sexual misconduct allegations.

John Torode previously openly admitted that he and co-host Gregg Wallace have “never been friends” after they were both axed from BBC’s MasterChef. Despite their long-standing partnership on the hit BBC show since 2005, John shared that he actively avoids his colleague off-screen.

Even as one of television’s most recognisable duos, they maintain a distance from each other during filming in various international locations, as reported by the Sunday Mirror in 2017. This revelation is particularly poignant with news that Wallace will be stepping back from MasterChef hosting duties amidst an investigation into allegations of misconduct dating back to 2005. Allegations include Wallace entering the studio naked with only a sock covering his privates among other reported incidents.

John Torode says he and Gregg Wallace have never been friends (Image: BBC)

In a candid 2017 interview, Torode, now 59 and hailing from Melbourne, Australia, remarked: “We’ve never been friends.”

At the time, he went on to describe Wallace as “so OCD”, elaborating “It’s funny, we’ve never been friends. We’ve not been to each other’s houses… He’s so OCD, he wouldn’t know what to do.

“He’d build it up in his mind for three days, and probably make himself quite sick, then he’d have an argument with his wife and not turn up.”

The TV star continued: “If I went to his house, he would feel like he wasn’t in control,” reports the Mirror.

The celebrity chef has yet to address the accusations against his co-host, despite the surfacing of full allegations.

Rather than address Wallace’s controversy directly, Torode shared an upbeat Instagram story from outside his local David Lloyd club, captioned: “Love spin” and a note of appreciation: “Another bloody great class thank you.”

The BBC finds itself facing allegations from 13 individuals, including former Newsnight anchor Kirsty Wark, 69, who competed in the 2011 edition of Celebrity MasterChef.

Wark recounted problematic instances where she alleges Wallace recited explicit stories and jokes on set, leaving the cast and crew visibly uncomfortable.

Gregg Wallace has stepped down from hosting duties (Image: BBC)

Speaking on this misconduct, she said: “I think people were uncomfortable. We were essentially a captive audience. People looked embarrassed and just got on with their work.

“I was actually more angry than anything else, because I thought it was so inappropriate.”

In response to the complaints, a BBC spokesperson stated: “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.”

They added: “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.”

Wallace’s solicitors have stated that allegations of him engaging in sexually harassing behaviour are “entirely false,” while Banijay UK, the production company behind the BBC show, has announced that Wallace will be “stepping away” from the programme.