MASTERCHEF HAD 'GREGG' HOTLINE

Producers set up system to report harassment 3 yrs ago

- JANINE YAROOB

MASTERCHEF staff concerned about the behaviour of Gregg Wallace were told to call a whistleblowing hotline THREE YEARS ago.

Production crew were pointed to a freephone number and website to report issues, including harassment and bullying, a source says. It has been claimed Wallace was behaving inappropriately at the time, including making lewd comments and removing clothing.

Details emerged days after the host, 60, stepped away from the BBC cookery show, and a probe was launched into complaints made against him spanning 17 years.

The source said: "Workers were told about a hotline which had been put in place by the production company to report problems.

"It was never explicitly said it was because of Gregg but people were guided to it when raising concerns about him.