Melanie Sykes has opened up about the surprising events that led her to quit the MasterChef TV show after a long and successful career.
In her 2023 autobiography, Illuminated: Autism & All the Things I’ve Left Unsaid, Sykes revealed that her appearance on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 was the final straw, highlighting unprofessional behaviour and a disheartening experience on the show.
Sykes said the trouble began when MasterChef host Gregg Wallace greeted her with an offhand remark: “Do models eat?” She described the comment as rooted in ignorance, disrespect, and an air of arrogance. The negative atmosphere continued behind the scenes, with Wallace reportedly “barking orders” at contestants.
“The MasterChef experience was an eye-opener,” Sykes wrote. “Some unprofessional behaviour on set was jaw-dropping. I was in a cycle of desperately wanting to leave but also wanting to do well because I was in a competition.”
Despite her efforts to power through the experience, Sykes said that she realized she was done with television by the end of the show. Wallace’s claim that the show would “do a lot” for her career only reinforced her decision to step away.
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In a recent YouTube video, Sykes reflected further on her discomfort during the show, saying, “Every time Gregg came over to the desk, I didn’t really like him being around. It’s all about vibrations and energy, and he didn’t sit well with me.”
Sykes also expressed frustration with the broader industry, citing systemic issues that prevent individuals from speaking out about misconduct. “I complained afterwards but didn’t file a formal complaint because, honestly, I’d spend my whole time in litigation if I did that,” she explained.
The revelations about her MasterChef experience have come amid ongoing allegations against Gregg Wallace from multiple women, accusing him of making inappropriate comments. While Wallace has stepped back from his hosting duties, his legal team has denied the claims, calling them “entirely false.”
The BBC has since released a statement emphasizing its commitment to upholding professional standards: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and have robust processes in place to address them.”
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