noor nanji, bbc news. and noor nanji is with us in the studio. the industry? it is been going on forfive days and not good for it is been going on forfive days and not good for the it is been going on forfive days and not good it is been going on forfive days and not nood for the bbc, days and not good for the bbc, another scandal about its talent, hot on the heels of others, including the disgraced presenter, huw edwards, and there are questions for the bbc because it emerged that there were complaints about gregg wallace's haber in 2017 related to celebrity masterchef and another broadcaster i need 2018 which our investigation uncovered regarding impossible celebrities. gregg wallace has denied the allegations and says he is not engaged in behaviour about sexually harassing a sure but we know in 2018 the probe that happened on impossible celebrities concluded that elements of cause —— his behaviour was needing a sitting down by the bbc bus. we don't know the outcome of that meeting but clearly six years on we are hearing the allegations mountin

noor nanji, bbc news. wishing her and her crew a happy christmas.haling activist. he has been freed today. these are pictures of him arriving in france after five months in detention in greenland pending an x tradition demand from japan. he was released on tuesday denmark refused the extradition request after a 2010 clash with whalers. he landed today in paris and as you see he was wheeling his luggage through the airport as the supporters were there to greet him. tokyo had accused him of entering a crew member with a stink bomb during a clash with a sea vessel back in 2010. they had had proof that he was not on deck when the bomb was thrown. that is paul watson who is an anti—whaling activist who had has been freed. we are back with more in the next few minutes. matthew will be with you but from me, bye for now. hello there. today showers are following a band of rain that's moving across the country and it's breezy too, but, over the weekend, the winds are going to be much stronger. it could well bring with it some travel disruption and the air is

noor nanji, bbc news. katie razall�*s here.e latest edition? . ,, ., edition? yeah, i think an interesting _ edition? yeah, i think an interesting decision, - edition? yeah, i think an interesting decision, to l edition? yeah, i think an - interesting decision, to broadcast the show. — interesting decision, to broadcast the show, and they have made clear their intent— the show, and they have made clear their intent to finish the show and run the _ their intent to finish the show and run the christmas special, a lot of gregg _ run the christmas special, a lot of gregg wallace on tv as allegations swiried _ gregg wallace on tv as allegations swirled with three allegations this week— swirled with three allegations this week alone. many people will think going _ since the bbc revealed a string of allegations our investigation held from 13 people across a range of ages across a 17 year period. allegations we heard include gregg wallace taking his top off in front of a female worker, staring at a worker's chest and asking her for mas

noor nanji, bbc news.since that report, we have had the answer about certainly one of those episodes. that is to make�*s episodes. that is to make�*s episodes. let's get more on that. we know now that to make�*s episode will be broadcast, but a number have been filmed, a christmas special as well. any word of those? ., �* ., , ., those? no, we've only had confirmation _ those? no, we've only had confirmation that - those? no, we've only had confirmation that an - those? no, we've only had| confirmation that an eight's episodes will go out. this is masterchef: the professionals, the series that is currently airing. there are two further episodes to go out this week. all three of the episodes are already on the bbc iplayer, people in the uk can already watch it, so although the bbc have confirmed tonight's will go out, i have a feeling that the other two will probably go out as well, because they are already on iplayer. then, as you mention, there is a christmas special scheduled for later this month. this w

noor nanji, bbc news. boots these owners but as with me.itions, from number ten downing street,...- ten downing street, . .. what he's apologising _ ten downing street, . .. what he's apologising for- ten downing street, . .. what he's apologising for is - ten downing street, . .. what he's apologising for is his - he's apologising for is his choice of language from when he defended himself at the weekend. the phrase that everybody has picked up on is that this came from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age, and people have attacked that as being defensive, misogynistic, and as you say, 10 downing street, the prime minister official�*s spokesperson said clearly the comments we have seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic. the broadcasting union put out a statement saying that misogyny, intimidation, ageism, and sexual harassment should have no place in modern workplaces. as you say, this is him apologising for his choice of language at the weekend. as for the original allegations,

noor nanji, bbc news.the last few hours gregg wallace has shared on instagram what he thinks about the the allegations allegations against him. i can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age just from celebrity masterchef. this isn't right. in 20 years, over 20 years in television, can you imagine how many women, female contestants on masterchef, have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo? can you imagine? with me is our culture correspondent, yasmin rufo. just talk us through a little bit more about what he has been sane in reaction to all of this. , , sane in reaction to all of this. , ., this. here saying this morning that it is a _ this. here saying this morning that it is a handful— this. here saying this morning that it is a handful of- that it is a handful of middle—class women of a certain age. the 13 people who have come forward to the bbc or the ones we have reported on, they are a range of ages. what he is saying there doesn't quite tally up with what we k

here's our culture reporter, noor nanji.f in 2017, but the broadcaster has now revealed she complained to the bbc about remarks allegedly made by the show�*s presenter gregg wallace. in an email seen by the sunday times, a bbc executive, kate phillips, said that his behaviour on set was unacceptable and cannot continue. aasmah mir later sent an email that was copied to kate phillips, saying this must not happen again to another woman. but this week, a bbc news investigation has revealed a string of misconduct allegations against gregg wallace, some of which relate to events after aasmah mir�*s complaint. separately, the observer says a letter containing several claims of inappropriate behaviour by gregg wallace was sent to the bbc in 2022 but did not result in further investigation at the time. on thursday, masterchef�*s production company banijay uk said mr wallace would step away from presenting the show while allegations of historical misconduct were investigated. last night, a cryptic post, as gregg wallace wrote on inst

noor nanji, bbc news.etty much wherever you go. one of the most loved is i wish it could be christmas every day, which was a huge hit for birmingham band wizzard back in 1973. the original record included vocals from primary school children, who have now been reunited to record a new version. 0ur reporter sarahjulian has been to meet them. # well, i wish it could be christmas every day.# the soundtrack to everyone's christmas since roy wood and wizzard got to numberfour in the charts in 1973, but the stars of the song, the kids with the cute voices are not these ones with bobble hats and toy instruments. they were from a london drama school. the real vocals belong to a group of children, now in their 60s, from inner city birmingham, who never got their moment of fame. it was a bit disappointing because everybody watched thursday night top of the pops, didn't they? and the thing that i get now is people ask, like, if i tell anybody, they say, "oh, i saw you on top of the pops." and you go, "no, no, it wasn'

noor nanji, bbc news.check our app bbc.com/news. you can check our app or follow us on social media. i'm here in washington. plenty more coming up at the top of this hour. so stay with us right here on bbc news. hello there. well, finally, some blue sky and some sunshine for many parts of england and wales through the day on saturday. and it was a beautiful end to the day — lots of red skies around, including here in gosport in hampshire, with our approaching weather front. but it's that weather front that's introducing a lot more cloud as we head through sunday so it's not such a nice day of weather. there'll be a brisk westerly wind, many places will stay dry and the air is going to turn a lot milder. and that's because it's a warm front marked here, with the red circles gradually slipping southwards and eastwards for the rest of saturday night, introducing that milder feeling air, marked here in yellow, squeezing the blue, colder air well out of the way. we're staying in that milder air for the next few

noor nanji reports.m a handful of middle—class women of a certain age, just from celebrity masterchef. this isn't right. gregg wallace in an instagram video yesterday, hitting back at his critics. the presenter has been under pressure after bbc news revealed a string of misconduct allegations against him. we spoke to gemma — not her real name — who worked with wallace. she says he made her and her colleagues feel uneasy. working with gregg was tricky. he was constantly making sexually inappropriate jokes and comments. his behaviour was unacceptable in any kind of workplace. he's posted this video today. what do you make of that? i was mortified when i saw it this morning, because it's so dismissive of the people that have come forward, especially the younger girls, um, and about their experiences. i don't know what class and age have to do with it. our investigation heard from 13 people across a range of ages who worked across five different shows. they include... a masterchef worker in 2005 who says wal

noor nanji, bbc news.ald trump has asked a new york state judge to completely dismiss the criminal case in which he was convicted of making a hush money payment to a porn star. sarah smith is in washington. bring us up to date. donald trump is askin: for bring us up to date. donald trump is asking for the _ bring us up to date. donald trump is asking for the case _ bring us up to date. donald trump is asking for the case to _ bring us up to date. donald trump is asking for the case to be _ bring us up to date. donald trump is asking for the case to be entirely - asking for the case to be entirely thrown out and the verdict vacated and citing at his recentjoe biden�*s pardon of his son, hunter. president by the said he believed that politics had infected the case against hunter and as a result he had been selectively and unfairly prosecuted. donald trump says that is exactly what happened to him in the new york hush money case where he was found guilty earlier this year. he says he was found guilty earlier

noor nanji, bbc news.have carried out further air strikes on parts of syria in an attempt to halt the advance of rebels who have taken control of the country's second city aleppo. the syrian army says it's preparing a counter—offensive against the islamist forces who have taken the city in a surprise offensive. barbara plett usher has the latest. fighting back against the rebels, russian air strike in the stronghold south—west of aleppo. the escalation in the civil war has killed hundreds of fighters on both sides but again civilians are victims. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing aleppo and areas around idlib. their lives upended by the rebels's you need battles. translation: we are following the news and god willing the regime will fall. we the news and god willing the regime will fall.— regime will fall. we can't niuht regime will fall. we can't night and _ regime will fall. we can't night and day _ regime will fall. we can't night and day to - regime will fall. we can't night and day to r

noor nanji, bbc news. book me a table at a cafe where the waiters know who i am.the bbc website with the latest on the attack in germany, those terrible events at the christmas market when a suspect drove a car into the christmas market in the east german city of magdeburg. a9—year—old is among people killed, 200 people injured. many of them critically and those latest reports are all on the website. hello. saturday was a very showery and very windy winter solstice. let's take a look at some of those gusts of wind that we saw during the day on saturday, between around 60 to 80 miles an hour, particularly around exposed coasts and hills in the north and the west, too. 82 miles an hour was the windiest spot in the hebrides. now, for sunday, we've got more of the same, gusty winds and wintry showers for some of us, and there could be some travel disruption on the cards. low pressure sits to the north—east of the uk, we've got these winds bundling in from the north—west, bringing us plenty of shower, gusts of wind of 60 to 70 miles an hour across parts of scotland, es

here's noor nanji.ant to apologise for any offence that i caused with my post yesterday and any upset i may have caused to a lot of people. and any upset i may have caused to a lot of maple-— lot of people. gregg wallace saying sor after lot of people. gregg wallace saying sorry after a — lot of people. gregg wallace saying sorry after a video _ lot of people. gregg wallace saying sorry after a video that _ lot of people. gregg wallace saying sorry after a video that got - lot of people. gregg wallace saying sorry after a video that got britain | sorry after a video that got britain talking. he said he wasn't in a good headspace when he posted it and has been under a huge amount of stress. it is obvious to me i need to take some time out now while this investigation is under way. i hope you understand, and i do hope that you understand, and i do hope that you will accept this apology. it is all a very different _ you will accept this apology. it is all a very different tone from his comments on social m

noor nanji, bbc news.try in damascus says russian and syrian warplanes have conducted more air strikes on rebel forces in the northern idlib and hama provinces. a monitoring group said russian strikes in the city of idlib killed eight civilians and targeted a camp for displaced people. civilian casualties have also been reported in air strikes on aleppo, a city which has fallen to the rebels. president bashar al—assad has vowed to use force to eliminate what he called terrorism and the army says it's recaptured several of the towns that had been overrun. barbara plett usher has the latest. fighting back against the rebels, a surprising strike. the escalation in syria's civil war has a prize fighters on both sides. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing the area. their lives upended by the rebels renewed battles against the regime. we are following the bad news and god willing the regime will fall. we pray night and day to return. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. the rebels

noor nanji, bbc news.as chris former college. she told me that despite the fact he was the bookie�*s favourite, his victory wasn�*t a foregone conclusion. you can never take anything for granted. live television, anything can go wrong. but there was a huge amount of support for chris every single step of the way. i think when he came out on the dance floor that very first time and did twist and shout itjust blew everybody away and we thought, well, he�*s already a winner. right, well, yeah, his speech there was really moving, wasn�*t it? saying this is for everyone out there who got told they couldn�*t do something or thought they couldn�*t do it. just explain, if you can, how much it means to people. it is huge. i mean, representation always matters but it is something else chris said a few weeks ago about being an inspiration was that it�*s not about being an inspiration for the visually impaired community, and that�*s the case for our students. they are inspired by him but they already know they are cap

noor nanji, bbc news. stanley and flo sayers. welcome. my goodness, what a final. it was outstanding. the standard we saw last night, i think every couple got a0. three of thejudges think every couple got a0. three of the judges didn't have any other mark other than ten and it was such a final, and so emotionalfor and it was such a final, and so emotional for everyone. and it was such a final, and so emotionalfor everyone. i don't think there was a dry eye in the house. think there was a dry eye in the house-— the house. you guys were sobbing — the house. you guys were sobbing watching - the house. you guys were sobbing watching it. - the house. you guys were| sobbing watching it. when the house. you guys were i sobbing watching it. when it comes to chris's performance, it was tingling. it was absolutely brilliant. every dance he did last night, it's the best he's danced all season and it's such a great way to finish an incredible journey than he has been on through the series. we were absolutely sobbing w

noor nanji, bbc news. or you can watch on iplayer. next, it's newsnight.

noor nanji reporting.e story — shejoined me earlier to discuss the wider questions around the case we have seen this reckoning within industries, haven't we? notjust the media industry, but really across the board in a kind of definitive expectation of what is acceptable within a workplace. a greater examination, i think, of what people have felt that they have had to put up with in various workplaces over the years. i think these wider questions in this case are actually quite specific. that's because it has emerged that there were complaints about greg wallace on celebrity masterchef as we saw in noor�*s report there in 2017. also on the show in 2018 called impossible celebrities. they found that greg wallace's behaviour was unacceptable and unprofessional and he apparently got a talking to by a senior boss. so, here are the questions. were the bbc responsive enough to complaints about him? should it have been more curious about his behaviour? is it satisfied that it did everything that it should within

our culture reporter noor nanji went to meet her.ars angelina jolie, who learned to sing opera for the role. one of the greatest privileges to being an actor is you often are supported by a crew to try something and explore something you've never done and you can learn. so — but this one certainly was the most challenging. one of maria's most famous performances was as tosca in covent garden in 1964. but she also courted controversy. after an affair with the greek shipping magnate aristotle 0nassis, the paparazzi hounded her. have you talked to mr 0nassis? i talk to all my friends. i am answering no more questions. she was characteristically defiant. i don't read the criticisms because, you see, i know exactly what i do before anybody tells me. but the best critic is the public. angelina jolie's two eldest sons, pax and maddox, worked as production assistants on the film. it was good to to have your children watch your mum not do something easily but they've seen me go through many things but they — but they hadn't experienced me exp

noor nanji, bbc news.you to brussels and a press conference by the new secretary general of nato, speaking ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers and welcoming a visit there by the king of jordan. let's listen. we are setting up our new nato command to co—ordinate security assistance and training for ukraine. this making our support more steadfast and also sustainable. but we will all need to do more, specially now. the stronger our military support to ukraine is now, the stronger their hands will be at the negotiating table. and the sooner we can end russian aggression in ukraine. tomorrow, ministers will address russia's hostile actions in nato countries. russia and also china have tried to destabilise our nations with acts of sabotage, cyber attacks and energy black mail. none of these actions will deter us from supporting ukraine or making our own defences stronger. nato allies will continue to stand together to face these threats through a range of measure, including greater intelligence sharing and

noor nanji has the latest. in the newspaper.s coming from a handful of middle class women of a certain age, just from celebrity masterchef. this isn't right. gregg wallace in an instagram video this morning, hitting back at his critics. the masterchef presenter has been under pressure after bbc news revealed a string of misconduct allegations against him. our investigation heard from 13 people across a range of ages who worked across masterchef and a number of different shows. one of them, kirsty wark, appeared on celebrity masterchef. the rest, former production staff. since broadcast, more allegations have emerged, including from the author emma kennedy, who won celebrity masterchef in 2012. she says she complained about his behaviour at the time. responding to wallace's video, she told us whoever made the allegations doesn't matter. this morning, a veteran labour mp had this to say. what do you think of that? it's not a crime to be a middle class woman of a certain age. | the intervention is not wise. i understand the instant

noor nanji, bbc news.on by performing the christmas number one — stay another day. they sing. backed by the london community gospel choir, the performance celebrated the song's 30th anniversary. afterwards tony said it was a "magical experience". and probably quite magicalfor the commuters he was surprised by it as well. now for your weather forecast. hello. sunshine has made a bit of a reappearance for many today, but still a little on the cool side. that said, temperatures are where they should be this time of year. white colours indicate that on this chart. blues below average. reds above average. just notice, though, from sunday onwards, how the deeper colours start to appear across us and northwest europe. temperatures will be significantly above normal through much of this week ahead, sometimes by around 5 to 7 degrees. the milder air will be coming on the back of this cloud, which was earlier spilling into scotland and northern ireland, continue to make it cloudier through the afternoon. grey skies.

noor nanji, bbc news.day visit by the emir of qatar. having recovered from pneumonia, the queen attended too. the visit is controversial, because of qatar's record on human rights. here's daniela relph. the spectacle of a state banquet — the centrepiece of any official visit. amongst the guests, politicians and celebrities, including david and victoria beckham, who joined the royal party for what the king said would be the renewal of an enduring friendship. in the grandeur of the buckingham palace ballroom, the emir of qatar was welcomed back to the uk, where he had lived and studied for many years. your highnesses. assalamu alaikum. and in his banquet speech, the king praised qatar for its role in negotiations in the gaza conflict. if i may, i would particularly like to express the united kingdom's deepest gratitude for your tireless mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace in the face of unbearable heartache and suffering. politics, diplomacy and trade mark any state visit, but this came

noor nanji, bbc news. book me a table at a cafe where the waiters know who i am. at a christmas market in germany, on a web page there is an article talking about how germany is coming to terms with what happened. that is all on the bbc news website or app, see you soon. hello there. today the strongest of the winds are across the northern half of the uk. we've seen gusts close to 80 miles an hour in the far north of scotland. it will stay windy throughout the rest of the weekend and it may well feel colder as well. the air is getting colder and the showers that are streaming in will become a bit wintry in places too. there's the low pressure that's bringing all the windy weather at the moment. the closer you are to that, the strongest of the winds. but we're feeding in this polar maritime air that's drawing in colder air and those showers turning wintry overnight. lots of showers to come actually overnight, particularly in the west. again, some heavy with hail and thunder. but we're going to find some snow onto the hills covering of snow i think over higher parts

noor nanji, bbc news. book me a table at a cafe where the waiters know who i am. stuff! i'm carl nasman in washington. stay tuned. 20 more coming up at the top of the hour right here on bbc news. —— plenty here. hello. saturday was a very showery and very windy winter solstice. let's take a look at some of the gusts of wind that we saw during the day on saturday — between around 60 to 80 mph, particularly around exposed coasts and hills in the north and the west, too. south uist at 82 miles an hour was the windiest spot in the hebrides. now, for sunday, we've got more of the same — gusty winds and wintry showers for some of us, and there could be some travel disruption on the cards. low pressure sits to the northeast of the uk. we've got these winds funnelling in from the northwest, bringing us plenty of showers. gusts of wind of 60 to 70 mph across parts of scotland, especially in the northwest, but elsewhere, we could see 50 to 60 mph gusts for western parts of england and wales, a0 to 50 mph towards the east. so, plenty of showers, as you can see, blowing in on

noor nanji, bbc news.onal college for the blind, which was chris former college. hello to you. morning. did you have a strictly _ hello to you. morning. did you have a strictly party _ hello to you. morning. did you have a strictly party last - have a strictly party last night? have a strictly party last niuht? . , have a strictly party last niuht? ., , ., have a strictly party last niuht? ., ., ., ., night? there was a lot of celebrating _ night? there was a lot of celebrating last - night? there was a lot of celebrating last night. i night? there was a lot of| celebrating last night. he night? there was a lot of - celebrating last night. he was the bookies' _ celebrating last night. he was the bookies' favourite. - celebrating last night. he was the bookies' favourite. was i celebrating last night. he was the bookies' favourite. was it| the bookies' favourite. was it everin the bookies' favourite. was it ever in doubt for you? i do not think you _ ever in doubt for you? i do not think you can _ ever in d

noor nanji, bbc news.culture correspondent yasmin rufo. lets us talk about what gregg wallace — lets us talk about what gregg wallace has been saying today. as we — wallace has been saying today. as we heard he said the allegations have come from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age. through his lawyers he denies he engaged in sexually harassing behaviour and the production company say he is cooperating fully. in the instagram video he says the women are of a certain age but within the 13 allegations we have reported on they range in age. we spoke tojunior female workers on the show, some older people. these allegations don't tally with what he is saying. these come from five different shows, only one of which is celebrity masterchef. the bbc has said it will always listen to people if they want to make us aware of something directly. we have heard gregg wallace saying it is 13 allegations. the bbc has reported on 13 but since then it seems more have emerged in the papers. the sun newspaper rep

chris mccausland there talking to noor nanji. time for a look at the weather.the good news is most of the rain falls the side of midnight and of the rain falls the side of midnightand by of the rain falls the side of midnight and by the early hours of the weather should clear. this is the weather should clear. this is the weather should clear. this is the weather system over us right now giving that soggy evening across many south western and western areas of the uk. clearly across scotland and northern ireland, you are not getting heavy rain stopped play spells this evening and overnight. it is blustery, quite a few showers, some of them wintry across the hills. by the early hours, that weather front is all the way in germany and denmark. quite a contrast in temperatures. frost for scotland and northern ireland. the very far north of england as well. elsewhere, it is mild. tomorrow, i'm pleased to say it is a fine day with some sunshine. brisk pleased to say it is a fine day with s

he's been speaking to our culture reporter noor nanji. the moment of victory. chris and dianne! ever blind contestant, getting his hands on the glitterball trophy. this is for her and it's for everyone out there thatjust got told they couldn't do something or thought they couldn't do it. it just shows that with opportunity and support and just determination, just anything can happen. # shake it baby, now...# he and his partner dianne buswell were among 15 couples at the start. but they quickly impressed. music: instant karma! byjohn lennon and yoko ono. including with their blackout dance moment, which went viral on social media. in the end it came down to a public vote and history was made. at last, time to rest those sore feet and catch up on some sleep. everyone was blown away by your dance moves. how did you learn the routines? dianne never had spent any time with anyone who was blind, just even in daily life, and i had never danced so we were, neither of us had a clue and it turned out really that she had to use a lot of descriptions, she had to use a lot more words than sh

here's our culture reporter, noor nanji. a warning that her piece includes graphic detail.l be back on our screens tonight, but from the bbc today, a change of tune. they announced they would no longer broadcast the masterchef christmas specials. it comes as bbc news put new allegations of inappropriate behaviour to them. anna, not her real name, worked on masterchef in 2015. one day he asked me to come to his dressing room to fix his bow tie for an after—work event. as i started to fast on his bow tie, i noticed his trousers were partially lowered. his pubic hair was on show, and you could see the top part of his penis, and he was wearing no boxes underneath. when i noticed, he stared at me. no apology was offered. it felt like a powerplay. she says she didn't see how the trousers had become lowered. the production company which makes the show says producers spoke at length with anna about what happened and she told them she didn't feel threatened at any point. they say it was also raised with the bbc at the time. lisa, not her real name, worked on a show with wallace in 2

noor nanji has the latest.nts have come from a handful_ the complaints have come from a handful of— the complaints have come from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age. this handful of middle-class women of a certain age.— of a certain age. this isn't riuht. of a certain age. this isn't right- this _ of a certain age. this isn't right. this was _ of a certain age. this isn't right. this was in - of a certain age. this isn't right. this was in the - of a certain age. this isn't i right. this was in the ground this morning where he hit back at his critics. there have been a string of allegations against him. 13 people across various programmes had complained about him. since broadcast, more allegations have emerged. one of them, kirsty wark, appeared on celebrity masterchef. the rest former production staff i wanted. since broadcast, more allegations have emerged, including from the author emma kennedy, who won celebrity masterchef in 2012. she says she complained about his behaviour at the time. respo

here's our culture correspondent, noor nanji.allace over the weekend that the allegations came from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age have provoked a very big response. some of his accusers have criticised his response. one said, "the comment showed he clearly hasn't learned his lesson." while another said, "he wrongly seems to be saying he is the victim of classism." wallace has also posted on social media screenshots of supportive messages from people who say they have worked with him or been contestants with him in the past. and wallace's lawyers have in an official statement said gregg wallace strongly denies that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour. but all of this does put more pressure on the bbc. over the weekend it was reported that in 2017, an allegation was made notjust to banijay uk, the production company that makes the programme, but the allegation was also passed at the bbc. and also the banijay uk investigation is looking at masterchef and its spin offs. the bbc news investigation into gregg

noor nanji, bbc news.on whilst another said that he would not be that he was the victim of cape verde. he be that he was the victim of cape verde-— cape verde. he has posted sunportive _ cape verde. he has posted supportive messages - cape verde. he has posted supportive messages from | cape verde. he has posted - supportive messages from people who have — supportive messages from people who have worked with him in the past, _ who have worked with him in the past, and — who have worked with him in the past, and wallace's lawyers have — past, and wallace's lawyers have in _ past, and wallace's lawyers have in an official statement said — have in an official statement said that _ have in an official statement said that gregg wallace strongly denies that he engages in sexually harassing behaviour but all — in sexually harassing behaviour but all of — in sexually harassing behaviour but all of this does put more pressure _ but all of this does put more pressure on the bbc. 0ver but all of this does put more pr

noor nanji, bbc news. a reminder of our top headline this afternoon.l to come, we'll meet the pianist from swansea who is bringing christmas concert joy to those receiving treatment in hospices. we ll have a full forecast in the next half hour, but it's time now for a quick look at the weather. here's ben rich. at the weather. we've at the weather. seen some strong wind across some we've seen some strong wind across some parts of the uk today and actually strong wind may disrupt some travel plans between now and christmas. a week to go until the big day course and this is what the weather has in store. it is changeable tomorrow, it will be colder and friday bring some rain and then over the weekend that is when we see some strong wind which could bring some disruption. i christmas itself things are quieter and milder, more details later in the programme. there are nowjust a few days left to apply for pension credit in order to receive winter fuel payments, after the benefit became means tested earlier this year. if approved, claimants are entitled to u

allegations are false. 13 women have complained about him to a bbc news investigation. 0ur correspondent noor nanji coming from a handful of middleclass women of a certain age, just from celebrity masterchef. this isn't right. gregg wallace in an instagram video this morning, hitting back at his critics. the masterchef presenter has been under pressure after bbc news revealed a string of misconduct allegations against him. jemma not her real name says gregg wallace made her and her colleagues feel uncomfortable. working with gregg was tricky. he was constantly making sexually inappropriate jokes and comments. his behaviour was unacceptable in any kind of workplace. he's posted this video today. what do you make of that? i was mortified when i saw it this morning, because it's so dismissive of the people that have come forward, especially the younger girls, and about their experiences. i don't know what class and age have to do with it. 0ur our investigation heard from 13 people who worked in five different shows up until 2022. allegations began in 2005. 2011's contestant kirsty wark said greg used

he's been speaking to our culture reporter noor nanji. the moment of victory. chris and dianne! trophy. this is for her and it's for everyone out there thatjust got told they couldn't do something or thought they couldn't do it. it just shows that with opportunity and support and just determination, just anything can happen. # shake it up baby, now...# he and his partner dianne buswell were among 15 couples at the start, but they quickly impressed. music: instant karma! byjohn lennon and yoko ono. including with their blackout dance moment, which went viral on social media. in the end, it came down to a public vote, and history was made. at last, time to rest those sore feet and catch up on some sleep. everyone was blown away by your dance moves. how did you learn the routines? dianne had never really spent any time with anyone who was blind, just even in daily life, and i had never danced. so we were... neither of us had a clue, and it turned out really that she had to use a lot of descriptions, she had to use a lot more words than she's used to when teaching people to dance. a

our culture correspondent noor nanji told me more about the response to the video greg wallace postedter he did his initial post, but clearly it's prompted some fury as well. we heard there from emma kennedy, who won celebrity masterchef in 2012. we heard her comments in my tv package and also from the tv presenter kirstie allsopp, who we just heard a bit of there and i thought it was interesting that she singles out this thing — she says that she thinks he's doing a disservice to men with his comments, and she said that they were completely unacceptable. and other people have also been questioning why he's choosing now to put a video like this out. so we heard earlier today from the tv chef hugh fearnley—whittingstall, who told the sunday with laura kuenssberg programme, i understand the need to sort of say something when your back�*s against the wall, but ultimately i don't think it's smart to be talking at a time like this when maybe you should be listening. and i think there is a wider point here about how much the industry knew and what was done about these allegations. so my ori

noor nanji, bbc news. it is 6:15.cras station by performing the christmas number one stay another day. have a look. # don't leave me alone like this... # don't leave me alone like this... # don't leave me alone like this... # don't say is the final kiss... backed by the london community gospel choir, the performance celebrated the song's 30th anniversary. afterwards, tony said it was a "magical experience". he was braced for the cold, wasn't he, in his giant pufferjacket? trier? he, in his giant puffer “acket? very similar to he, in his giant puffer “acket? very similarto the h he, in his giant puffer “acket? very similar to the outfits _ he, in his giant pufferjacket? - similar to the outfits they were in the video. why similar to the outfits they were in t

noor nanji, bbc news. we will talk more about that later in the program.he day �*s stories, starting with syria. syria's president, bashar al assad, has vowed to defeat islamist rebels after they captured the second city of aleppo. the fighters, who began their offensive on wednesday, are now reportedly in control of parts of the city of hama as they continue to move towards the capital damascus. the syrian army says dozens of its soldiers have been killed. 0ur reporter greg mckenzie has more. smouldering buildings in syria's second—largest city aleppo tells of an unpredictable new chapter. the city, once a symbol of resilience, is now reeling from a fresh wave of destruction following a series of russian air strikes. the escalation comes as syrian forces withdrew their troops from the city. that retreat in response to a surprise offensive launched by rebel fractions five days ago. this is the most serious challenge yet to president bashar al—assad in years. it was a carefully planned attack. the rebels stormed back into aleppo for the first time since ass

noor nanji, bbc news.ave more on that story throughout the news, but for nowjon has the rest of this morning's news. sally, thank you. the government is to set tougher targets on fixing thousands of buildings found to have been fitted with flammable cladding in the wake of the grenfell tower fire in 2017. ministers say the new remediation acceleration plan will ensure all high—rise blocks are made safe by the end of this parliament in 2029. let's speak now to our chief political correspondent, henry zeffman. this is something that successive governments have been talking about for some time. the? governments have been talking about for some time-— for some time. they have been a lot of governments _ for some time. they have been a lot of governments since _ for some time. they have been a lot of governments since the _ for some time. they have been a lot of governments since the grenfell. of governments since the grenfell tower tragedy, and yet this issue is still very much on result. let me give you a fla

noor nanji, bbc news. our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba joins us now.hack but it is notjust who has been speaking out about this today —— rupa huq. he speaking out about this today -- rupa hug-— speaking out about this today -- ru-uahu. , rupa huq. he said the complaints came from _ rupa huq. he said the complaints came from a _ rupa huq. he said the complaints came from a handful _ rupa huq. he said the complaints came from a handful of _ rupa huq. he said the complaints i came from a handful of middle-class came from a handful of middle—class women of a certain age, that has certainly triggered a big reaction, both from unions and across the world of politics. one of the main broadcasting unions put out a statement within the last hour saying that misogyny, intimidation, ageism and sexual harassment should have no place in modern workplaces. they went on to say, reports that the bbc previously internally investigated complaints about wallace and concluded that aspects of his behaviour one on acceptable are deeply troubling. is it any wonder that film

our culture reporter noor nanji was watching.! cheering and applause. and after weeks of tangos, salsas and foxtrots, chris mccausland and his dance partner dianne buswell finally got their hands on the coveted glitterball trophy. this is for her and it's for everyone out there thatjust thought — that got told they couldn't do something, that thought they couldn't do it and itjust shows that with opportunity and support and just determination, just — just — just anything can happen. # a superstar... chris was the bookies' favourite and is strictly�*s first ever blind winner. he and dianne performed three dances on the night, including one recreating their blackout dance moment which went viral earlier in the season. but they faced stiff competition from the other finalists. the first top scores of the night went tojls singerjb gill and his partner lauren 0akley for their viennese waltz. also in the mix was love islander tasha ghouri and her dance partner aljaz skorjanec, who danced their couple's choice to what about us by pink.