Sacked BBC presenter Gregg Wallace admits he could’ve “possibly hit the bottle” after his dramatic axing from BBC MasterChef, alongside his co-star John Torode.
The former green-grocer, 60, left the corporation under a cloud earlier this month after 45 out of 83 complaints of misconduct were upheld. His colleague Torode, 60, swiftly followed for a historic use of the “N-Word” on a corporate night out.
Wallace did an explosive interview with The Sun last week, where he insisted that he’s done with the BBC and TV altogether, before making the sensational claim that he was groped by women wanting photo opportunities on a “regular basis”.
The former broadcaster has been caught in a tidal wave of online vitriol and has kept a fairly low profile on social media since the spectacular double firing.
However, he posted a reel to his Instagram today, showing him up at the crack of dawn in Canary Wharf, London, for a fitness class with a friend.
Talking to the camera, he admitted: “It’s been a difficult few months, and I made a decision when this all started to really try and look after myself physically.
“So I exercised better than I ever did before. I’ve got better nutrition than I ever did before.”
He then went on to acknowledge that if he hadn’t turned to health and fitness, he may have turned to alcohol to help with the loss of his spell-binding career.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without that. Possibly hit the bottle – I don’t know.”
The video was met with a positive reception from users, a stark contrast to the wave of disdain and negative comparisons the green-grocer has received in the past.
“I have seen myself written about in the same sentence as Jimmy Savile and Huw Edwards, paedophiles and sex offenders”, he said, speaking to The Sun. “That is just so, so horrific.”
“People think I’ve been taking my trousers down and exposing myself — I am not a flasher. People think I’m a sex pest, I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment.”
“I know I have said things that offended people, that weren’t socially acceptable, and perhaps they felt too intimidated or nervous to say anything at the time. I understand that now, and to anyone I have hurt, I am so sorry.
Since the shocking double axe, Wallace has spoken to multiple outlets. Torode, meanwhile, has continued to keep a low profile.
The Australian chef maintains the stance he has “no recollection” of ever using the slur; however he was let go by the BBC almost immediately after the findings were published, claiming he only heard news of his own firing through social media.
He was seen for the first time last week whilst collecting groceries from a store near his home in North London ahead of his 60th birthday celebrations.
Close friends told The Sun that he cooked for his wife, Lisa, and friends, rather than facing the public.
They added: “John had a quiet birthday meal with Lisa and some friends. It’s been an incredibly difficult time for him.”
Despite the show losing its hosts in one fell swoop, the BBC posted a casting klaxon for new contestants hoping to appear in its next season, which will feature the first new permanent judges in over 20 years.
Banijay, the production company responsible for sacking the two presenters, wrote: “For over 20 years, we have been putting Britain’s best food talents through their paces.
“Cooking doesn’t get tougher than this,” the call read. “Whether you’re an amateur cook looking to showcase your home-taught skills or a professional chef wanting to take your career to the next level, you can apply for a UK MasterChef series below.”
A source told MailOnline that Torode and Wallace’s screen time in the latest series, which is set to air after much deliberation, will be kept to a minimum so the show’s focus can be kept on the contestants.
The BBC confirmed to GB News that the show’s edit will be looked at in light of the upheld findings; however, there are certain limitations considering that they are the main presenters of the show.