In a recent interview, ITV’s Lorraine Kelly didn’t hold back as she addressed the toxic elements within the television industry, taking aim at MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace. 

The seasoned host, known for her candid opinions, spoke out about the allegations surrounding Wallace, 

who stepped away from MasterChef in December after a BBC News investigation revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments and behavior. 

Kelly suggested that, if the accusations were true, Wallace’s actions were deeply troubling and reflected a larger issue of abuse of power in the entertainment world.

Lorraine, 65, emphasized that toxic behavior in the TV industry was not only harmful but also enabled by those around the perpetrators. 

Speaking frankly, she said, “There are toxic people in telly. We’re going through that at the moment. 

The behaviour of Gregg Wallace and other people that we’ve seen, should it come about as all true, is appalling. There’s an imbalance of power there, and it’s abused. They’re just not right, and it should never happen.” She went on to highlight how those around such individuals allow or even enable this behavior, adding, “But how dare the people round about them allow and enable them to behave like that? It’s horrible and it’s toxic and nasty. I’ve got no time for people who abuse their power.”

Kelly’s comments come after Wallace, 58, found himself embroiled in controversy following a BBC News investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct over the course of his two-decade career with MasterChef. The allegations included inappropriate sexual remarks and behavior towards colleagues. Wallace’s response to the claims, however, only seemed to add fuel to the fire. In a now-deleted video posted to his social media, he dismissed the allegations as coming from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age,” claiming that out of the “4,000 contestants” he had worked with, only 13 complaints had been lodged.

Lorraine was quick to call out Wallace’s response. Referring to his statement, she remarked, “It’s not a class thing at all, don’t play that card, just don’t play that card. If you make people feel uncomfortable, it’s not 1972, I do understand that a lot of people might say, ‘It wasn’t that bad really,’ well it was, and it was a lot. It wasn’t just one person.” Kelly continued, stressing the importance of listening to those who have come forward, saying, “You get personality clashes, of course you do, but there’s a lot of people coming out to say, ‘Actually I felt really uncomfortable but I didn’t want to say anything.’”

The controversy surrounding Wallace has sparked intense debate within the media industry, highlighting the issue of power dynamics and the difficulties people face when speaking out against inappropriate behavior. Lorraine’s remarks, however, also pointed to a broader issue within the television industry, where toxic environments and imbalances of power have allowed certain individuals to act with impunity.

In the same interview with Bella magazine, Lorraine also reflected on her own career, which has spanned more than four decades. Despite her long tenure in the television industry, Lorraine expressed no desire to retire anytime soon. “I don’t ever see myself retiring,” she said. “I’ll be in my zimmer frame and I’ll still be writing. I’ve just finished my second book and then I will get cracking on the third. That is something I am so passionate about.” For Lorraine, work is a lifelong passion, and she remains dedicated to continuing her work in television and writing.

Having spent over 40 years in the industry, Lorraine shared that her career had gone by in a flash. “I’ve spoken to so many incredible people and done amazing things because of this job. I’ll never take it for granted. What I’ve learned is to try to make people comfortable so that they can talk and tell their story,” she explained. She added that she views her platform as a powerful tool to hold individuals accountable, saying, “And if you’re a politician or you’re somebody who needs to be called out, I will call you out. That’s important too.”

Lorraine Kelly’s comments on Wallace and the toxic culture within TV not only reflect her own long-standing experience in the industry but also serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability and respect in the workplace. Her condemnation of toxic behavior and abuse of power echoes the growing call for change in the media and entertainment industries, as more voices speak out against inappropriate actions and demand better treatment for all.

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