The BBC has addressed a new claim the broadcaster received complaints about Gregg Wallace 10 years ago, as footage from his Strictly Come Dancing stint resurfaced.
The MasterChef judge is at the centre of historic allegations of misconduct first reported by BBC News and which are currently being investigated by the show's production company Banijay UK.
Wallace has been accused by multiple people who have worked with him across his career of making sexualised comments, with further women since coming forward to allege the presenter engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Wallace's lawyers have strongly denied allegations he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
Related: Kirstie Allsopp accuses Gregg Wallace of inappropriate comments
A report in The Sun has now alleged that the BBC received complaints about Wallace's behaviour during his time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
What to Read Next
The report alleges that Wallace was accused of making sexual remarks, and resurfaced footage from training sessions also shows the TV presenter claiming to his Strictly dance partner Aliona Vilani that he wasn't wearing underwear.
A spokesperson for the BBC told Digital Spy: "Whilst we do not comment on individuals, we take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
"We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated."
Related: MasterChef's Gregg Wallace responds to viral interview backlash
A further claim was made on Wednesday night's (December 4) edition of Newsnight, where a ghostwriter for Wallace alleged multiple instances of inappropriate sexual behaviour while they were working together.
In response to this specific report, lawyers for Wallace said (via BBC News): "Our client has denied that he has engaged in any such behaviour," adding that he "specifically denies any sexual misconduct" with the ghostwriter who had made the allegations.
Wallace has stepped down from his judging role on MasterChef while investigations continue, and two Christmas special episodes of the show will not be aired.
The host also addressed the allegations in an Instagram video which faced severe criticism after he suggested the complaints came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age".
Wallace then took to social media once more on Monday (December 2) to apologise for his comments, claiming he "wasn't in a good head space" at the time of posting.
"I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people," he said.
"It's obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is underway. I hope you understand and I do hope that you will accept this apology."
Wallace's MasterChef co-judge John Torode has broken his silence on the allegations, saying he found "the recent press reports truly upsetting" and reiterating that he "fully" supports the ongoing investigation.
"The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, and I have found the recent press reports truly upsetting," he said.
Torode added in his statement: "I cannot make any further comment at this stage, and I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward."
Digital Spy reached out to Wallace's representatives for comment when the investigation was first announced but did not receive a response.
