The BBC was warned of alleged inappropriate behaviour by Gregg Wallace years before he stepped back from hosting MasterChef this week, according to reports. In an email seen by The Times, broadcaster Aasmah Mir complained to the corporation about comments made Mr Wallace after she had appeared on Celebrity Masterchef.

Concerns raised about Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate” behaviour on a BBC show were ignored, a former producer has claimed.

It comes after BBC News sent a letter outlining allegations by 13 people, including Kirsty Wark, that Wallace made inappropriate sexual comments.