Gregg Wallace’s ‘human meat’ show slammed with hundreds of Ofcom complaints from disgusted viewers
Gregg Wallace has been slammed with hundreds of Ofcom complaints for his latest TV show.
The presenter, 58, came under fire from sickened fans after he appeared to encourage people to eat ‘human steaks’ on Channel 4 ‘s The British Miracle Meal.
Disgusted viewers complained to the broadcasting regulator in their droves and the programme received a total of 408 official grievances.
During the show, the MasterChef presenter looked at how a lab was producing genetically modified meat harvested by human stem cells.
The programme covered everything from the people who were donors, to Gregg himself seen tucking into one of the “human steaks”.
He looked gleeful as he was served the gruesome piece of meat by a Michelin starred chef.
It was however revealed that the show was in fact a spoof and was instead a darkly humorous indictment of corporate exploitation during the cost of living crisis – but not everyone got the joke.
Viewers took to Twitter to vent, with one saying: “Just switched over to Ch4 Gregg Wallace and Good Harvest steaks (grown from human flesh) – I feel sick
“This whole concept is absolutely horrendous – cannibalism in disguise. Exploiting the poor. Sick, sick, sick!”
While another fumed: “I am actually going to vomit!”
Gregg opened up about the show to The Sun, saying: “While it was a complete fantasy, we wanted to raise important questions about the nation’s relationship with food and what those struggling with the cost of living are being asked to do in order to stay afloat.
“The programme makers consulted with experts to make sure what we were saying reflected what is actually happening and didn’t wander into the realms of science fiction.
“Scientists in the US have already come up with the concept of a “grow your own” kit, where it would be possible to create a steak from cells scraped from the inside of your own cheek.”
Gregg is on a mission to reduce food waste amid the cost-of-living issue, continuing: “We can stop eating snacks and processed foods, teach our children to cook at school, and plan our meals and supermarket trips every week.
“And if we don’t start to tackle the cost of food and eat more healthily, then this programme — and the prospect of human meat on the menu — might not seem so far-fetched after all.”