Gregg Wallace has been dismissed as a presenter of MasterChef, just days before the publication of a report into historical allegations about his behaviour. The sacking follows a BBC News investigation that says it has been approached by more than 50 people with new claims, including allegations of groping and exposing himself.
The fresh allegations include claims that Wallace groped a co-worker and pulled down his trousers in front of another woman. Wallace has denied the allegations. In a statement, he admitted using inappropriate language but said he had been cleared of the most serious accusations in the forthcoming report by law firm Lewis Silkin, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay.
Wallace, who presented the show for over two decades, said he has now been diagnosed with autism and accused the BBC of failing to protect him despite his neurodiversity being suspected for years. He criticised the broadcaster in a social media post, alleging he was “tried by media” and vowing not to “be cancelled for convenience”.
The BBC previously reported allegations from 13 people about inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour. Among the accusers is broadcaster Kirsty Wark, a former Celebrity MasterChef contestant, who alleged Wallace told sexualised jokes during filming. The new allegations include a claim that Wallace put his hand on a woman’s groin during a dinner in 2002, asking “Do you like that?”
Wallace, who first stepped away from MasterChef nine months ago, said he had spoken out before the Silkin report to defend his reputation and accused the BBC of “no longer providing balanced and impartial public service journalism”. He apologised unreservedly for any inappropriate language but insisted he was never the “caricature” being portrayed.
