Moment Gregg Wallace's 'no underwear' comment leaves Strictly pro Aliona Vilani distressed
A throwback clip from Gregg Wallace's stint on Strictly Come Dancing has unearthed the moment Aliona Vilani expressed her discomfort, stating she felt "distressed" after learning that Gregg doesn't favour underwear.
Gregg, who has since turned 60, was teamed up with professional dancer Aliona, now 40, when he took part in the BBC contest back in 2014.
They were notably the first duo axed from the twelfth installment, with Gregg only showcasing a couple of dance numbers.
Best known for his role as MasterChef co-host, Gregg and his dance mate, Aliona appeared on the side series, It Takes Two. A clip that has re-emerged this week captures them practising for Strictly, during which Aliona admits she's "distressed" due to an encounter with Gregg.
In the revealed footage, Gregg appears to rip his trousers mid-rehearsal, prompting Aliona to point out there had been a "bit of a wardrobe malfunction". Subsequently, Gregg reveals: "I tell you something else as well, I don't wear underwear."
To this, Aliona can be heard replying "yeah, yeah," before Gregg insists it's "true". His partner probes further: "Are you for real? " with Gregg confirming: "No, I'm for real, yeah", reports the Mirror.
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Gregg Wallace in rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 (Image: BBC Strictly Come Dancing/Youtube)He elaborates: "It's easier to move ... I've never worn underwear."
Aliona, taken aback, utters "woah," while Gregg discloses: "I wear socks."
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The video - posted on Strictly's YouTube channel at the time - captures Gregg retreating backwards in a rehearsal space, with one hand kept behind him. From off-camera, Aliona utters: "Oh my god, oh my god, put it away".
At this juncture, it's not clear exactly what she was referring to.
In a subsequent snippet, Gregg pronounces: "I haven't worn a pair of pants since I was about 17 years old, I don't think."
He then voices his concern directly to the lens: "What worries me now is that I'm gonna be the butt of everybody's jokes."
This footage has made a comeback this week amidst reports that Gregg has taken a step back from his tenure on MasterChef while production company Banijay UK conducts a review into alleged historical misconduct claims. He's reportedly eager to 'commit to fully cooperating throughout the process'.
His legal team informed BBC News that 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'.
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News emerged on Thursday that Gregg would take leave from MasterChef amid investigations into allegations from 13 individuals citing inappropriate sexual comments by him. These accusations reportedly come from individuals involved in various programmes spanning a period of 17 years.
Banijay UK released a statement saying: "This week the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows. Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate."
The firm added: "While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process. Banijay UK's duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set."
A spokesperson for the BBC commented: "We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated. Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them."
Moment Gregg Wallace's 'no underwear' comment leaves Strictly pro Aliona Vilani distressed
Moment Gregg Wallace's 'no underwear' comment leaves Strictly pro Aliona Vilani distressed
Moment Gregg Wallace's 'no underwear' comment leaves Strictly pro Aliona Vilani distressed
Moment Gregg Wallace's 'no underwear' comment leaves Strictly pro Aliona Vilani distressed
Moment Gregg Wallace's 'no underwear' comment leaves Strictly pro Aliona Vilani distressed
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