Masterchef star ‘in hotel brawl’ after man groped girlfriend

The former greengrocer and rugby player was pictured battling with the man after he appeared at a £75-a-head evening with him at a hotel.

Wallace, 48, is reported to have punched the man several times because he apparently pinched his 27-year-old girlfriend Anne-Marie Sterpini’s bottom.

The fight broke out after the TV personality had hosted Dinner With Gregg Wallace at the Wood Norton Hotel in Evesham, Worcestershire. The hotel’s website described Wallace as “the bald one who likes puddings” and promised guests a champagne reception followed by a five-course dinner.

But the scene turned ugly.

A picture in The Sun showed Wallace grappling with the man while another man tries to restrain him as guests look on.

A source told the Daily Mail: “The vast majority of those present were very drunk. I’m pretty sure Gregg had enjoyed a few drinks too. In fact, his girlfriend was one of the only people there who seemed sober. Gregg took exception to this man who was supposed to have been touching his girlfriend up. A table was knocked over as they grappled.”

The newspaper reported three-times married Wallace and the man later apologised to each other and shared a whisky. His spokesman told the Mail: “I can confirm Gregg was involved in a disagreement at an event last night. The situation was swiftly resolved.”

The alleged incident comes months after Wallace predicted that his career would end if fans knew that he had “clumped” some of the people who were rude to him. He later retracted the comment.