Gregg Wallace speaks out after MasterChef sacking

Gregg Wallace has spoken astir his sacking from MasterChef aft inappropriate behaviour portion moving for the BBC - but insisted helium is "not a groper, a enactment pest oregon a flasher".

Wallace, 60, has apologised aft a report, commissioned by the cooking show's accumulation institution Banijay UK, recovered 45 retired of 83 allegations were substantiated.

In an interrogation with The Sun, helium said: "I cognize I person said things that offended people... I recognize that present - and to anyone I person hurt, I americium truthful sorry.

"I don't expect anyone to person immoderate sympathy with maine but I don't deliberation I americium a incorrect 'un."

MasterChef co-host John Torode besides had an allegation that he utilized an "extremely violative racist term" upheld, arsenic portion of the aforesaid investigation.

Torode, who insisted helium had "absolutely nary recollection" of the alleged incident, has not had his declaration for the amusement renewed.

Wallace has present defended Torode, saying: "I've known John for 30 years and helium is not a racist.

"There is nary mode that antheral is simply a ­racist. No way. And my sympathies spell retired to John due to the fact that I don't privation anybody to spell done what I've been through."

At 1 point, Wallace became tearful during the interrogation erstwhile describing the interaction of the probe connected his family.

"I person seen myself written astir successful the aforesaid condemnation arsenic Jimmy Savile and Huw Edwards, paedophiles and enactment offenders. That is conscionable so, truthful horrific."

In respect to the circumstantial allegation of unwanted touching, Wallace denied groping a pistillate and said that, portion helium was attempting to flirt with her, helium did judge the interaction it was consensual.

"She gave maine her telephone number. I considered that to beryllium intimacy. It was 15 years ago. Me, drunk, astatine a party, with my manus connected a girl's bum," helium said.

He besides accepted helium had concisely appeared with a sock connected his backstage parts successful beforehand of 4 colleagues successful MasterChef studio. But helium said his is not a flasher, and radical were either "amused oregon bemused" but not distressed.

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On the broader allegations astir utilizing inappropriate language, Wallace accepted the disapproval and suggested that immoderate of his behaviour could beryllium explained by his autism and his background.

"I cognize I americium odd. I cognize I conflict to work people. I cognize radical find maine weird. Autism is a... registered disability. Just due to the fact that you can't spot it doesn't mean it's not real."

He besides blamed his erstwhile career: "I'm a greengrocer from Peckham. I thrived successful Covent Garden's effect and veg market. In that situation that is jovial and crude. It is learned behaviour."

Wallace told the paper helium is present frightened to look successful public: "I spell retired present successful a disguise - a shot headdress and sunglasses, I don't privation radical to spot me. I'm scared."

On Wednesday, the BBC confirmed a bid of MasterChef filmed past year, earlier allegations against presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode were upheld, volition inactive beryllium broadcast.