MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has thanked his Instagram followers for “showing their support” after announcing he was to leave the BBC cookery show while an external review is carried out into historical misconduct complaints.

It comes as the 60-year-old faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News which said it had sent a letter to the TV star’s representatives earlier this week.

BBC News’ complainants include former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who alleged he told “sexist” jokes when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

In an Instagram post on Thursday afternoon, Wallace told his fans: “I want to thank everyone who has been in touch, reach out and show their support.

“It’s good of you, thank you very much.”

The post comes as Wark told the BBC that Wallace had twice sent “sexualised” stories and jokes in front of the contestants and the team and she felt they were “really, really in the wrong place”.

BBC News said it was told of other allegations, including the presenter “talking openly about his sex life, lifting his top in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and tell a junior female colleague. he wasn’t wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans”.

The TV star’s lawyers say “it is completely false that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour”, BBC News reported.

Earlier on Thursday, it was announced that Wallace is “fully committed to co-operating” with an external review by MasterChef production company Banijay UK.

A statement said: “This week the BBC received complaints from individuals regarding historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.

“Although these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or our parent company Banijay UK, we feel it is appropriate to conduct an immediate external review to conduct a full and impartial investigation.

“While this review is taking place, Gregg Wallace will be stepping down from his role on MasterChef and is committed to co-operating fully throughout the process.

“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations of behavior are clearly communicated to staff and staff on all productions, and numerous avenues for raising concerns are clearly promoted , including anonymous, on the series.

“Although these are historical allegations, incidents brought to our attention are thoroughly investigated and dealt with appropriately.”

The statement added: “If anyone wishes to speak to us or raise any questions or concerns, they can contact speakup@banijayuk.com in confidence.”

A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues raised with us very seriously and have robust processes in place to deal with them.

“We have always been clear that any behavior that falls below the standards expected of the BBC will not be tolerated.

“Where someone is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when we address them.”

Wallace is best known for co-presenting MasterChef alongside John Torode since 2005, as well as its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will air as planned, with the next episode set to air on Thursday, the PA news agency understands.

Wallace was the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002 and has also appeared on Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest, and Supermarket Secrets.

He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2022 for his services to food and charity.

Wallace took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and was partnered with Aliona Vilani.

He has two children, Tom and Libby, from a previous relationship. He married Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2016 and the couple have a son called Sid.