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Celebrity MasterChef contestant felt ‘ashamed and belittled’ by Gregg Wallace

Penny Lancaster, the wife of singer Sir Rod Stewart, said she did not feel she was supported by the production company

Gregg Wallace has taken legal action against the BBC and BBC Studios (Yui Mok/PA)
Gregg Wallace has taken legal action against the BBC and BBC Studios (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive)

Penny Lancaster has revealed she felt "ashamed and belittled" by Gregg Wallace during her 2021 appearance on Celebrity MasterChef.

The model and TV personality, married to singer Sir Rod Stewart, claimed she also lacked support from the show’s production company, Banijay UK.

She told Sky News’ The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee programme: “I didn’t feel like I was supported in that moment, I felt ashamed and belittled by the way Gregg Wallace had treated me but equally I felt disappointed that the production company hadn’t come to my rescue.”

She added: “There is a long way to go, but just by people coming forward and being honest about their experiences, I think will help in the long term.”

Sir Rod previously criticised Wallace on Instagram and claimed he “humiliated” his wife when she was on the show.

Penny Lancaster
Penny Lancaster (PA)

In November 2024 he wrote: “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”.

Wallace, 60, was sacked in July after an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct upheld multiple accusations against him.

Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart attend the Global Premiere Red Carpet in support of ‘Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning’
Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart attend the Global Premiere Red Carpet in support of ‘Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning’ (Getty)

The former greengrocer, who began co-presenting the show in 2005, said following the investigation he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate” in the wake of the probe, which also upheld one allegation of “unwelcome physical contact”.

Wallace has since filed a High Court legal claim against the BBC following his sacking, court records show.

Banijay and Wallace have been contacted for comment.

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