MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace's ghostwriter accuses him of 'sexually harassing' her

Shannon Kyle, the ghostwriter behind Gregg Wallace’s Life On A Plate: The Autobiography (Orion, Hachette UK), has accused the MasterChef presenter of "sexually harassing" her. Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Newsnight, Kyle alleged that she had multiple inappropriate encounters with Wallace while she was writing his book, which was published in 2012.

Lawyers representing Wallace told the BBC: "Our client has denied that he has engaged in any such behaviour, and he specifically denies any sexual misconduct with Ms Kyle."

During the interviews she conducted with Wallace for his autobiography between May and August 2012, Kyle alleged that he talked about his romantic relationships, using "very graphic details" when describing "sexual acts". She claimed that this was "completely unnecessary for the book".

The ghostwriter also said that she once met the TV presenter at his flat, and she claims he opened the door "completely naked, except for a towel around his waist".  She also alleged that he "dropped the towel"  when she was inside his home. "I felt quite vulnerable because I’m on my own in a flat with a man," she said. "He’s naked."

Kyle also alleged further instances of inappropriate comments and behaviour. During a meeting at a restaurant, Wallace allegedly made sexualised "obscene" and "sickening" remarks. On one occasion, she claimed that Wallace gave her a "really big hug" and asked her to give him "a little kiss", after which she left "in tears". 

During another one of their meetings, Kyle claimed that Wallace picked her up in his car to drive to their interview, and "touched her on the thigh and around her knee". She claims to have asked him to stop, and that, despite this, he tried to do the same things to her while driving her home. In response to Wallace’s alleged attempts to touch Kyle’s knee and thigh for the second time, she said she threatened to hit him.

At a later date, Wallace allegedly touched the ghostwriter inappropriately while they were in a hotel car park after Wallace had appeared on the BBC Good Food Show.

The writer claimed she had signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before beginning the collaboration. She said she was "worried about losing the job" and tried to "push on through".

The news follows a host of other allegations against Wallace, including by 13 people who spoke to BBC News about the presenter’s conduct. Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant, has also claimed that Wallace made a "sexualised" joke while the show was being filmed. 

Kyle did not add any further comment when she was contacted by The Bookseller. Wallace’s representatives also declined to provide further comment.

The production company behind MasterChef, Banijay UK, launched an investigation after the allegations surfaced. Wallace has stepped away from the show, and the BBC has pulled its MasterChef Christmas special.

In a statement to The Bookseller, Hachette UK confirmed that "all of Gregg Wallace’s books are out of print", with only one book—Gregg’s Italian Family Cookbook (Mitchell Beazley)—available through a reseller on Amazon. The publisher declined to comment any further.