Antiques Roadshow legend Michael Aspel says Gregg Wallace will bounce back from misconduct allegations and can have a television career ‘as long as he apologises and doesn’t do it again’.
Throwing his support behind Gregg, the broadcasting veteran said he would be ‘very sorry’ to see the 60-year-old host of MasterChef permanently cancelled from the small screen, as he finds him a ‘very talented and very warm personality’ and thinks ‘every show that he does is well run.’
Gregg stepped down from hosting MasterChef last month while an investigation into his alleged misconduct is carried out.
After initially facing accusations of inappropriate behaviour from 13 people, including Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, he has since been hit by an onslaught of more claims which include groping, pressing his crotch against a colleague and allegedly flashing another woman in his dressing room.
Several women have come forward about his behaviour, prompting the review.
The television star reportedly told friends he expects to be fired following the investigation into his alleged sexual harassment and groping.
The BBC1 show’s production firm Banijay UK launched an inquiry last month into the complaints.
Chat show host Michael, 91, who was once one of the biggest faces of primetime television, presenting shows such as This Is Your Life, told the Mail on Sunday: ‘I have been interested in the way the reaction has swerved from one to another.
‘I listen to Women’s Hour when I do the washing up and I heard a message from some woman who said “I worked with a lot of men and I gave as good as I got” and she went “it stopped” and it is not good enough for people to say nothing and then suddenly it is 15 years later and the man is a monster.
‘I have never talked to women like that. But if I had I am sure somebody would have said that is enough from you and I would have stopped.’
Speaking at the Television and Radio Industries Club Christmas lunch at the Londoner Hotel, Michael asked: ‘So why didn’t they say it? Or maybe they did, and the BBC had it hidden for a while.
‘Obviously, what he did was not nice, but I am very sorry if we lose him, and I don’t think we will actually.
‘I think he will (have a television career) and I hope he does; as long as he apologises and doesn’t do it again.’
Michael attended the festive lunch alongside stars including GB News Breakfast host Eamonn Holmes, Lady Victoria Hervey, Angela Rippon, and Chris Tarrant.
Meanwhile, Gregg who strongly denied any wrongdoing is reported to have stopped using his legal team as he resigns himself to being axed and turned down crisis-publicity teams.
The presenter is reported to understand his position on MasterChef is no longer tenable and has told people, ‘I’m f***ed’.
A source told the Sun: ‘He came out swinging, but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside.
‘The BBC and Banijay UK have now spoken to a number of different individuals, and they know they must be seen to take action.’
Co-host John Torode, 59, is said to be keeping his role.