Gregg Wallace Emerges as Cameo's Valentine's Day Star Following MasterChef Departure
In a surprising twist for Valentine's Day gift-giving traditions, former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has revealed he became the most requested celebrity on personalised video platform Cameo during the 2026 romantic holiday. The television personality, who was dismissed from the BBC cooking competition following misconduct allegations, has turned to the service as an income source, charging £36.80 for customised video messages delivered within sixty minutes.
From Television Screens to Personalised Messages
Wallace shared the news on his Instagram account on Tuesday 17 February 2026, posting a screenshot of Cameo's Top 100 Leaderboard that showed him leading with 101 points. He wrote enthusiastically about the experience, stating: "Love sending the messages. Some very romantic, some very funny." The leaderboard revealed significant demand for his services, with Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder following in second place with 84 points, while Real Housewives personality Sonja Morgan and The Inbetweeners actor James Buckley tied with 75 points each.
Despite his departure from MasterChef, the 61-year-old presenter continues to describe himself as the show's "telly presenter" on his Cameo profile. His page promises fans "unforgettable" personalised videos for various occasions, including milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions. The service allows customers to customise requests with inside jokes, words of wisdom, or signature catchphrases from the television personality.
The Controversial MasterChef Exit
Wallace's rise to Cameo prominence follows his dramatic exit from MasterChef, where he had served as host for nearly two decades. The BBC parted ways with the presenter in November 2024 after production company Banijay Entertainment commissioned law firm Lewis Silkin LLP to investigate multiple complaints against him. The subsequent investigation substantiated 45 out of 83 allegations, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and humour, with additional findings regarding inappropriate language and being in a state of undress.
The BBC issued a formal apology to those affected by Wallace's behaviour, acknowledging that "opportunities were missed to address" his conduct and accepting that "more could and should have been done sooner." The corporation emphasised that such behaviour "falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us."
Co-host Departure and Replacement
In a related development, Wallace's MasterChef co-host John Torode was dismissed just over twenty-four hours later following substantiated allegations of racist language. Torode expressed shock and sadness about the incident, stating he had "no recollection" of the event and lamenting that he had been denied a say in his departure from the programme he had worked on since its 2005 relaunch.
Since the dual departures, MasterChef has undergone significant presenter changes. Food critic Grace Dent has assumed Wallace's former role on the main programme, while Saturday Kitchen Live presenter Matt Tebbutt has taken over hosting duties on MasterChef: The Professionals. These changes mark a substantial shift for the long-running culinary competition as it moves forward without two of its most recognisable faces.
The Valentine's Day revelation highlights Wallace's unexpected career pivot following his television departure, demonstrating how digital platforms like Cameo provide alternative revenue streams for celebrities navigating post-scandal career transitions. The strong demand for his personalised messages suggests enduring public interest in the presenter despite the controversies that ended his two-decade tenure on one of British television's most popular cooking programmes.
