Gregg Wallace's replacement on Inside The Factory is REVEALED

Gregg Wallace’s replacement on Inside The Factory is REVEALED – after MasterChef star denied he left BBC show due to derogatory comments to female staff

Gregg Wallace’s replacement as presenter of BBC Two show Inside The Factory was revealed on Tuesday.

BBC Factual announced that Paddy McGuinness is to be the new presenter of the popular series, taking over from the MasterChef star, 58.

Paddy, 50, excitedly said: ‘One of my first jobs was in a factory so I’ve come full circle. 

‘I’m fascinated by the machinery and the people who make it all tick. Hair nets aside, I can’t wait to get cracking!’

Paddy formerly hosted Take Me Out and has since fronted Top Gear, I Can See Your Voice and A Question Of Sport.

Departure: Gregg Wallace’s replacement as presenter of BBC Two show Inside The Factory was revealed on Tuesday

New face: BBC Factual announced that Paddy McGuinness is to be the new presenter of the popular series, taking over from the MasterChef star, 58

He will join fellow presenters Cherry Healey and historian Ruth Goodman for the ninth series, which will go into production later this year, to air in 2024.

Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, said: ‘Inside the Factory is one of the BBC’s best-loved Factual brands. 

‘It deserves to have a big star at the helm – so I’m unbelievably excited that Paddy is putting on his white coat and rising to the challenge. 

‘He has a passion for production and engineering that’s impossible to fake. Working alongside current presenters Cherry Healey and Ruth Goodman, I know Paddy will bring new energy to this joyful series. I can’t wait to see him in action.’

It comes after Gregg confirmed he was leaving the show earlier this year and told how an issue prompted him to leave, but did not give any more details.

It was then reported he had allegedly offended certain female staff members at the Nestlé UK factory with comments about their weight during a ‘friendly’ conversation.

However, Gregg later denied the claims and told how they weren’t ‘accurate’, and also told how he wanted to leave to help care for his autistic son Sid, three.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain earlier this month, the presenter stated that such claims were ‘inaccurate’.

Departure: It comes after Gregg confirmed he was leaving the show earlier this year and told how an issue prompted him to leave, but did not give any more details

‘There was an argument inside the factory, the reporting isn’t accurate. There was an issue and I thought this is the perfect time to come out,’ he said.

‘Offending people? No no. If you look at the headlines you can’t see a story that matches those headlines.’

Gregg also revealed that he also wanted to leave to help care for his three-year-old son Sid, who is autistic. 

Explaining his home situation, he shared: ‘I’ve got a little boy called Sid who at the moment is non-verbal, he is still in nappies, he’s got learning difficulties….Mum needed help there.’ 

He revealed that the demanding nature of the filming around the different factories across the country meant that it made sense to give it up. 

‘There was nothing offensive to anybody that’s just people guessing. It was a decent time to come out, I think,’ he added.

It was reported by The Times in May that he allegedly offended certain female staff members at the Nestlé UK factory in York with comments about their weight during a ‘friendly’ conversation.

‘He was rude towards staff and continued to talk in a derogatory manner, especially to women,’ a source told the newspaper.

Moving on: Gregg appeared to putting the drama behind him however, as he was spotted looking cheerful on Tuesday having lunch with a male pal

Smoking: He sat outside at popular London restaurant Scott’s and was seen puffing away on a large cigar

Dashing: He cut a dapper figure in a pair of black smart trousers and a light blue shirt, teamed with black loafers

Having a good time: Gregg embraced his friend at the table and appeared in high spirits as he smoked and waved at the cameras

Exit: Gregg presented Inside The Factory for seven years before his departure from the hosting role earlier this year

Series: The factual programme delves into how goods are made and takes a look at food production lines in factories around the UK

The alleged comments were non-sexual but were deemed ‘inappropriate’ and a complaint was reportedly lodged with Voltage TV, the production company responsible for developing the show.

Gregg appeared to putting the drama behind him however, as he was spotted looking cheerful on Tuesday having lunch with a male pal.

He sat outside at popular London restaurant Scott’s and was seen puffing away on a large cigar.

He cut a dapper figure in a pair of black smart trousers and a light blue shirt, teamed with black loafers.

Gregg embraced his friend at the table and appeared in high spirits as he smoked and waved at the cameras.

Gregg presented Inside The Factory for seven years before his departure from the hosting role earlier this year. 

The factual programme delves into how goods are made and takes a look at food production lines in factories around the UK.

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