BBC rejects calls to pull MasterChef episodes

The BBC rejected calls yesterday to pull Gregg Wallace from its scheduled programmes after the MasterChef presenter apologised for dismissing his accusers as "middle class women of a certain age".

- Matthew Weaver

Downing Street waded into the row by criticising Wallace's defence of his behaviour as "misogynistic". It came as pressure mounted on the BBC to take Wallace off air while allegations about sexual comments and inappropriate touching by the 60-year-old were investigated.

The BBC insisted the three programmes fronted by Wallace would be shown as planned this week. And a MasterChef Christmas special - which the BBC promised would contain "great banter" in a press release last month - will also go ahead.

Wallace apologised for "any offence caused" by claiming in an Instagram video on Sunday that the only people who had complained about his sexual jokes were "middle-class women of a certain age".

He said: "I wasn't in a good headspace when I", posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion.

I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it." Wallace stepped back from his role on MasterChef last week while allegations of past misconduct - including three of inappropriate touching were investigated by Banijay, the programme's production company.