Homes Under the Hammer star's uncomfortable encounter in Aldi was 'a bit Gregg Wallace'

A star from BBC's Home Under the Hammer has described an uncomfortable encounter in her local Aldi as a "bit Gregg Wallace". Martel Maxwell, who has been a presenter on the renovation show since 2017, questioned the actions of men of a certain age after trying to do her food shop.

Writing in the Courier, the 48-year-old shared: "This week, a fleeting conversation with a stranger has been playing on my mind. An innocuous comment from a man behind me in the queue at Aldi on the Arbroath Road. When he dropped his plastic bag, I smiled and picked it up. To paint the picture, the man was - I'd guess, in his mid to late 70s. And I was wearing my quite short gym shorts. In my 20s, passable. Forties? Not so much." She went on to say that he made a remark that left her feeling somewhat uncomfortable, as he said to her: "That almost made dropping it worthwhile".

Martel continued: "I laughed awkwardly and handed the man his bag. All a bit Gregg Wallace." She went on to add: "But it really got me thinking. First, do men say this kind of thing today?"

The TV host went on to question whether it was a "generational thing" as she then passed the blame onto Benny Hill. "These men grew up watching Benny Hill. That would be my defence of them if I'd continued as a criminal lawyer and had to represent them in court," she wrote.

"If you're under 35 it's doubtful you've heard of the comedian. There are no repeats on UK Gold because it's so un-PC. But browse YouTube and you'll see farcical scenes with catchy music, of men chasing curvaceous, scantily clad women. This was the Tipping Point or Not Going Out of the day.

"But is it an excuse? Is suggesting a woman wear only skirts anything but rude - even if it was 1998."

Martel's comparison to Gregg Wallace comes as the former MasterChef star was the subject of a BBC investigation into his behaviour. Some of the 45 claims against him which had been upheld included one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress.

In total, the report says 83 allegations were made against the TV presenter, with the majority of the substantiated claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive or racist comments.

In a statement, Wallace said that some of his humour and language "missed the mark", but added: "I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off."