Melanie Sykes Reveals How Gregg Wallace Led Her to Quit TV
Melanie Sykes, a former television presenter, has opened up about a significant encounter with Gregg Wallace that led to her decision to step away from the television industry. Sykes, known for her roles in the 1990s Boddingtons ad and as a co-host on "Today with Des and Mel," appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. However, the experience left her so disillusioned with the industry that she chose to leave television altogether.
Sykes claims that Wallace, who is known for his role as a judge on MasterChef , greeted her on set by asking, “Do models eat?” This remark, which she found unprofessional and disrespectful, set the tone for her entire experience on the show. She described his attitude as "ignorant" and "arrogant," claiming that he spent much of the filming barking orders at people, which made her feel uncomfortable.
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In her autobiography Illuminated , published last year, Sykes revealed that her time on MasterChef was an "eye-opener" and that she found much of Wallace's behavior on set to be jaw-droppingly unprofessional. Although she did not go into detail in her book, she later expanded on her experience in a YouTube video, stating that Wallace’s presence on set was unsettling, adding that she didn’t "like him being around" because it affected the "vibrations and energy" she felt.
Sykes also mentioned a final interaction with Wallace at the end of filming, which she says played a pivotal role in her decision to leave the TV industry. Wallace allegedly told her that appearing on the show would "do a lot for her." Sykes said she smiled politely but was inwardly thinking, “Yes, you have finally helped me decide to end my television career once and for all.”
This decision to step away from television followed a brief period of filming the series Shop Well For Less , after which Sykes moved to Lancashire, distancing herself from the public eye. In her video, she called for reform in the TV industry, urging production companies to address unprofessional behavior and take action to prevent it. She highlighted the fear of backlash and litigation as reasons why people often avoid making formal complaints about poor conduct on set.
Sykes also stressed that when she works on a production, she expects professionalism from everyone involved. She expressed that if someone on her team was misbehaving, she would have no problem removing them from the set, regardless of their fame.
Her revelations come amid ongoing investigations into Wallace’s conduct, which includes multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior. Wallace, who recently stepped away from his role on MasterChef following these allegations, has denied the accusations. His representatives have stated that they are committed to cooperating with investigations, while production company Banijay UK, which oversees MasterChef , has promised to address any misconduct thoroughly.
Sykes, meanwhile, continues to speak out against what she perceives as a culture of silence surrounding misconduct in the television industry. She has made it clear that her experience with Wallace, and the lack of accountability that followed, played a major part in her decision to leave the industry she once loved.
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