Celebrity Masterchef contestant Melanie Sykes has criticized the TV industry in light of the allegations made about host Gregg Wallace, emphasizing the responsibility of bosses to address unprofessional behavior and not allow one person to be a “scapegoat.”
The former TV presenter and broadcaster, known for her roles on shows like The Big Breakfast and Today With Des And Mel, appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.
In her autobiography Illuminated, released in 2023, Sykes detailed her experience on the show and her decision to step away from show business afterwards.
Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
In a recent clip shared on her YouTube channel, Sykes revealed that she raised a complaint after her appearance on the show but chose not to formalize it.
Wallace, 60, is facing allegations from 13 individuals spanning across various shows over a 17-year period, with many others sharing their own experiences in response to the initial claims.
While he has temporarily stepped down from the BBC cooking show for an external review of historical misconduct complaints by producers Banijay UK, his lawyers deny the allegations of sexually harassing behavior.
Sykes, 54, expressed her decision to speak up to shed light on the industry, stating, “Every time Gregg came over to the desk, I didn’t like him being around, really, because it’s all about vibrations and energy.”
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‘Stop letting one person be a scapegoat’
Sykes, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2014, pointed out the MasterChef production company’s fault in enabling unprofessionalism in the industry.
She emphasized the need to address such behavior and not allow individuals to avoid accountability by being labeled as the ‘talent,’ stating, “I wouldn’t tolerate it. I don’t care who it is.”
Sykes believes that the tolerance of unprofessional behavior continues due to the success of certain shows, citing her own reluctance to formalize complaints due to fear of litigation.
She also highlighted the importance of speaking up and not letting one person take the blame for systemic issues within the industry.
‘It’s not about wokeness’
Meanwhile, Stephen Fry emphasized the importance of considering the impact of one’s actions on others in light banter, stating, “It’s just good manners, really.”
After the recent allegations, Wallace faced criticism for his initial response but later issued an apology, acknowledging the need for a break during the ongoing investigation.
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What are the allegations – and what has Wallace said?
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