BBC MasterChef winner crowned as Gregg Wallace makes final scheduled TV appearance

Gregg Wallace appreared on what could be his final time on the BBC for tonoght's MasterChef: The Professionals final, where he crowned champion Dan Merriman.

Throughout the contest, the 29-year-old chef has consistently stunned judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti, and Gregg Wallace alongside restaurant critics and top chefs across the nation with his remarkable culinary creations and finesse in the kitchen, reports the Mirror.

Upon clinching the title, an elated Dan expressed: "To walk away as MasterChef Champion, it means the world to me. There's not been that many times where I've been proud of myself in my life, but I've hit the pinnacle! This whole competition has changed my life. I'm forever grateful."

The judging panel was effusive in their praise. Marcus Wareing remarked: "We have a star. I see Dan's cookery as fine dining at its very, very best.

"His food is precise, technical, it's incredibly creative. I think it's outstanding. This guy is shining. I can't wait to see what this chef is going to do in the future."

Monica Galetti added: "From the moment he walked in, he let his cooking do the talking. I don't think Dan realises how good he is. The kind of cooking he's been doing takes years to get right."

Gregg Wallace enthused: "Dan's food has been blowing us away, not just in this Final but for round after round. Dish after dish of absolute beauty. Watching this chef grow in stature has been a wonderful thing to witness. I think this has been a turning point in Dan's life."

It comes after the BBC decided to pull the Christmas specials of MasterChef from its schedules following allegations about Gregg's inappropriate behaviour on several cooking shows.

The corporation had previously stated that it would not "tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect" and would continue to promote "a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful".

Last week, the 60-year-old TV judge apologised for suggesting that complaints about his behaviour came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age", and announced he would "take some time out".

His lawyers have strongly refuted claims that "he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", as reported by BBC News.

After the flagship channel announced the change to the festive TV schedule, a BBC spokesperson said: "As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.

"The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them."

This decision follows claims by Sir Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster that she was "bullied" by Gregg on Celebrity MasterChef. The 53-year-old model and Loose Women star alleges that he "used his position of power to intimidate and cause distress" on set.

Last month, Sir Rod, 57, accused the host of "humiliating" his wife during her stint on the show in 2021 and bid "good riddance" to Gregg following his departure from the BBC series amidst an investigation by Banijay UK into allegations of misconduct.

Penny has now broken her silence about her encounters with Gregg, 60, revealing on Loose Women: "I most definitely was witness and victim to some of the bullying and harassment behaviour of Gregg Wallace, and unfortunately, a lot of those involved in the production team were also witness to that."

"I really feel that he used his position of power to, I believe, intimidate and cause distress to a lot of people on set. And it's really unfortunate that someone like him is allowed to get away with that, and while others sort of stand by and let it happen at the same time."

She disclosed that Rod had published his scathing review of the presenter as a "tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully" without her prior knowledge. "I didn't realise my husband had sent that post out until it was out," she confessed, admitting she was "in shock" upon reading it.

Penny has spoken out, expressing a sense of vindication following recent revelations that echo the Me Too movement. She said: "I felt a little bit vindicated that something was put out there, going back to sort of that whole Me Too (movement), it's shocking to think how many women do suffer in the hands of... (men) in a powerful position and are too afraid to talk out.

"They don't feel at the time that they're going to be supported or listened to. So sometimes it can take a few years later for someone to mention something. It gives the other victims and people that have suffered the confidence to come forward."