Gregg Wallace's 4-word reply to Rod Stewart's 'tubby bully' rant after Penny Lancaster row

Former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace has responded to Sir Rod Stewart's accusations and disclosed his true sentiments towards the iconic musician. In December 2024, Sir Rod claimed that the TV host "humiliated" his wife Penny Lancaster on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, coinciding with Wallace's departure from the BBC show as production company Banijay UK probes allegations of misconduct. The celebrated singer expressed: "So Greg Wallace gets fired from Master Chef. Good riddance Wallace... You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn't you? You're a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart."

Wallace, who was officially dismissed by the BBC earlier this month after an investigation into the alleged misconduct, has now opened up about Sir Rod and Penny's remarks. In a candid chat with The Sun, where he also touches on his feelings regarding his ex-colleague John Torode's departure from MasterChef, Wallace remarked: "I'm actually a Rod Stewart fan. I've been to see him twice." He said: "So that hurt me," as he added: "Somebody like that carries a lot of weight. But there was no bullying and no harassing", reports the Miorror.

Discussing Sir Rod's Instagram post on Loose Women in December, Penny confessed: "I didn't realise my husband had sent that post out until it was out. And of course, you can imagine the influx of inquiries there were.

"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, and 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 revealed her shock at Sir Rod's message, recalling: "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 speak 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."

Following the BBC's confirmation of his departure from MasterChef earlier this month, after a report which saw 45 out of 83 allegations against him upheld, Wallace declared: "For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait.

"None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended."