Penny Lancaster has spoken on British television for the first time regarding her husband Sir Rod Stewart's remarks about Gregg Wallace stepping down from MasterChef.
The 60-year-old is currently being investigated by the BBC and the show's production company following claims of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.
Wallace's lawyers say it is "entirely false" that he engaged in sexually harassing behaviour. Meanwhile, multiple women have come forward with specific allegations against Wallace.
Lancaster hasn't gone public with her own experiences dealing with Wallace but her husband Stewart branded him a "tubby, bald-headed bully" who "humiliated" his wife when she appeared on the show.
On Thursday, Lancaster returned to ITV's Loose Women to address her husband's rant and touch upon her time on MasterChef.
Her co-star Kaye Adams opened the discussion as she put to Lancaster: "Penny this is the first time we have seen you since your husband's social media post about Gregg Wallace and how he treated you on MasterChef.
ITV Loose Women: Penny Lancaster branded Gregg Wallace a bully
ITV
"I was lying in bed when I saw it actually, I don't know where you were. Do you mind if I just read a little bit in case anyone missed it? Although it did go absolutely everywhere."
Adams read aloud Stewart's statement, which prompted some chuckles in the audience.
Adams continued: "Clearly he felt very, very, very strongly to write that. You're not gonna tell us in detail what happened, but were you humiliated?"
Lancaster replied: "Yeah. Without going into details, 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.
Gregg Wallace stepped away from MasterChef while the investigation by Banijay UK takes placeBBC / Shine TV"I most definitely was a witness and was victim to the bullying and harassment behaviour of Gregg Wallace.
"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.
"It's really unfortunate that someone like him is able to get away with that while others stand by and let it happen at the same time.
"It's obvious now that a lot of people have come forward and my husband when he heard some of the people talking about the disturbing behaviour, he couldn't hold back, I guess.
"A protective husband, he thought, 'I've got to say something,' because he realised how upset I was at the time. But I haven't gone into details on what it was."
Adams weighed back in: "In terms of, you said you didn't know Rod had posted that, was that a surprise to you?"
"It was," Lancaster replied. "I was actually on jury service so you have to turn your phone off completely, so when I turned my phone back on I got a message from a friend that was like, 'Oh, my God! How amazing was that message your husband put out', and I was like, 'What message? What's he done?'
"I was in shock and then I thought of all the repercussions from that but then a day or two afterwards, I felt a bit vindicated that something was put out there.
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"Going back to the whole Me Too, it's shocking to think how many women suffer at the hands of men in a powerful position and are too afraid to talk out.
"They don't think at the time they'll be supported or listened to, so sometimes it can take a few years later for someone to mention something and it gives the victims and other people who've suffered the confidence to come forward."
Adams praised Stewart for defending his wife before reiterating Wallace's lawyers' statement that the allegations were "entirely false".
A BBC spokesperson said they take any issues raised "seriously" and have "robust processes" in place to deal with them.
The BBC added that behaviour falling below expected standards "will not be tolerated".
