This week, Jacki and Lyle respond to the disturbing allegations surrounding Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace. Wallace, who the show's production company Banijay UK say has 'stepped away' from presenting the programme pending an investigation, received a letter from BBC News on Tuesday setting out allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period. Since these allegations were put to Wallace's representatives, Kirsty Wark, presenter of BBC Newsnight and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, said Wallace had told 'sexualised' jokes during filming of the programme. Jacki and Lyle discuss the story itself, with both convinced that Wallace has in fact been suspended from presenting the programme despite the public story being that he has stepped away of his own accord. Jacki outlines what her advice would be if she was Wallace's PR, with a fairly immediate dressing down of the presenter being first on the agenda before advising he stop all public engagements and make no comment until all allegations have been made public, with Lyle agreeing this would ultimately avoid the need for repeat apologies and statements. Comparisons are drawn between Wallace's ongoing involvement in this scandal, and the likes of Phillip Schofield and Jermaine Jenas. The latter was also a BBC employee at the time of his particular issue, and both were decisive in how they dealt with their respective crises, making public statements that were apologetic, authentic, and immediate. Jacki discusses other examples where this messaging has been far less effective, such as the strategy conducted by comedian and former Strictly contestant Seann Walsh, who elected to try and make light of his cheating scandal at a stand-up gig, and was taking to task brutally by our very own Jacki Vause! The BBC and Banijay UK also come under fire from our hosts, who both agree the TV broadcaster and production company both have a duty of care to those accusing Wallace of using inappropriate sexual language, and to Wallace himself as he looks to navigate the coming days and weeks in the aftermath of this news story. Lyle and Jacki both comment that the BBC and Banijay UK have played with fire by allowing Wallace to get away with behaviour like this for the last 6 years, and that serious questions will now be asked as this investigation begins.

Artwork & music by Lyle Fulton

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