Gregg Wallace has revealed his fears for his Italian family amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The MasterChef judge, 55, appeared on Loose Women on Monday alongside co-star John Torode, 54, in order to discuss the new series of the show, but the conversation naturally turned toward the worrying spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Gregg, whose 33-year-old wife Anne-Marie Sterpini is of Italian origin, also confessed he was staying positive, encouraging people to speak up about their mental health if they were feeling anxious.
Family comes first: Gregg Wallace has revealed his fears for his Italian family amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic during an appearance on Monday’s edition of Lorraine
Admitting he was concerned for his Italian in-laws, he said, ‘Yes they still have family back in Italy.
‘I know my wife and in-laws are okay because they’ve got this thing you can stick in your ear!’
Gregg was then quizzed how he managed to stay on top of his own mental health.
He said: ‘Actually I go from here to a therapist. I don’t know how people can deal with things, I have problems dealing with things so I go to an expert.
‘The only advice I can give it speak up and go and see someone, it’s unlikely you can deal with it alone.
‘I’ve never felt a weakness, it’s like having an ingrown toenail or cold – you don’t pick it for yourself.
‘My first stop is talking to John over a cup of tea, and if that doesn’t work then I’ll see an expert.’
TV appearance: The MasterChef judge, 55, was joined by co-star John Torode, 54, in order to discuss the new series of the show, but the conversation naturally turned toward the worrying spread of the COVID-19 virus
Gregg said: ‘The only advice I can give it speak up and go and see someone, it’s unlikely you can deal with alone’
John agreed that it was vital to have an honest conversation about mental health, particularly as a man.
He said: ‘I think men are too frightened to say something and we know all about male suicide rates.’
The duo also discussed the irreparable damage the pandemic could have on the restaurant business and the hospitality industry as a whole.
‘I think as far as the industry is concerned it’s going to be awful’, John said.
‘People aren’t going to Chinese or Italian restaurants. If you’ve got a local cafe or restaurant then support it!’
Quizzed by the Loose Women ladies whether they thought the government would be imposing a shutdown of businesses, they were in agreement.
‘I’ve just been added to restaurateur group chat where we’re talking about what will happen and how we can support each other’, John said.
Worrying: John discussed the irreparable damage the pandemic could have on the restaurant business and the hospitality industry as a whole
Coronavirus cases and deaths are now higher outside of China than inside the hardest-hit nation, with the global death toll standing at more than 6,600 with 173,000 confirmed cases.
Europe is moving deeper into lockdown with 100million people retreating to their homes, borders being sealed and bars and restaurants closing across the continent.
It was revealed on Monday that the over 70s could be forced to self-isolate and that people who refuse to go into quarantine risk being thrown into jail or being slapped with a fine of up to £1,000.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, published on the government’s website, says those suspected of infection could be held for up to 14 days in a secure hospital or other suitable location.
Anybody who tries to make an escape can be taken into custody before being returned to detention or isolation, the regulations state.
It comes as Boris Johnson will urge leading manufacturing companies including JCB and Dyson to help build the ventilators the NHS needs to fight coronavirus, after Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday revealed the health service only has 5,000 of the machines and will need ‘many times more than that’.
In conversation: The MasterChef stars were chatting to Andrea McLean, Stacey Solomon, Saira Khan and Jane Moore (from left to right)
