For nearly two decades, Gregg Wallace was a prominent face on BBC One, best known as the co-presenter of MasterChef UK. But in November last year, Wallace stepped aside amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual misconduct.
As BBC reports, it initially launched an internal investigation after 13 individuals accused the 60-year-old of making sexual comments.
Wallace has denied all allegations, stating in an Instagram post that an as-yet-unpublished report “exonerates” him of the most serious claims. “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation,” he said. “But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks,” the post added.
However, after the BBC received fresh claims from 50 more individuals—spanning a 17-year period—Wallace was sacked. The new complaints included allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour, including groping a MasterChef staff member, which Wallace also denies.
According to The Telegraph, a letter of dismissal from Claire Powell, head of compliance at BBC Television, cited concerns about whether Wallace’s continued presence could ensure a sufficiently safe and respectful environment. The letter noted his 2022 autism diagnosis, which Wallace himself said had made the MasterChef set a “dangerous environment” for him. However, Powell concluded that he continued to struggle with boundaries in the workplace, despite undergoing training in 2019.
Ongoing investigation
Following the initial complaints, MasterChef producers Banijay UK commissioned law firm Lewis Silkin to investigate Wallace’s conduct. The report hasn’t been released yet.
In a statement on Tuesday, the BBC said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”
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A spokesperson for Wallace added that he continues to co-operate fully with the review and denies engaging in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
Banijay UK said something on the same lines: “While the external investigation is ongoing, we won’t be commenting on individual allegations. We encourage anyone wishing to raise issues or concerns to contact us in confidence.”
Accounts of new complaints of alleged misconduct
The new wave of complaints comes from individuals who worked with or encountered Wallace on various programmes and settings. While most relate to inappropriate comments, 11 women have accused him of unwanted physical contact.
As reported by BBC, some of the recent claims include:
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A MasterChef production assistant reported Wallace’s comments about her body to a senior colleague in 2022, but was told it was “just a joke.”
According to a BBC report, a participant on Saturday Kitchen alleged that Wallace touched her groin under the dinner table ahead of filming in 2002. It added that a woman claimed she was groped by Wallace at an industry ball in 2014.
BBC News reports that Kate Phillips, the BBC’s former Director of Unscripted Content, was unaware of complaints prior to 2017 or any of these subsequent allegations.
In response to these reports, BBC Chairman Samir Shah has pledged major reforms, saying the broadcaster will improve workplace safety and accountability.
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Despite multiple requests, Wallace has declined BBC News’ invitations for an interview.
The Gregg Wallace case adds to the growing list of high-profile figures in the entertainment industry facing allegations of misconduct. While the BBC has now taken action, critics argue it came far too late — 17 years and 50 complaints later.
