In a surprising twist for Valentine's Day 2026, traditional gifts like flowers and jewellery were overshadowed by a unique trend: personalised video messages from former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace. The television personality, who was axed from the BBC cooking show following misconduct allegations, has revealed that he was the most requested celebrity on the personalised video platform Cameo for the international holiday of love.
From MasterChef to Cameo Stardom
Gregg Wallace took to Instagram on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, to share the news, posting a screenshot of Cameo's Top 100 Leaderboard which showed him at the pinnacle with 101 points. He wrote enthusiastically, "Love sending the messages. Some very romantic, some very funny." The leaderboard placed him ahead of notable figures such as The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder with 84 points, and Real Housewives personality Sonja Morgan and The Inbetweeners' James Buckley, each with 75 points.
A New Venture for Income
Since his departure from MasterChef, Wallace has turned to Cameo as a source of income, offering fans personalised video content within 60 minutes for £36.80. On his Cameo page, he still describes himself as MasterChef's "telly presenter," and promotes his services for milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, or reunions. The page encourages customisation, allowing requests for inside jokes, words of wisdom, or signature catchphrases, making each video a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Backstory: MasterChef Axe and Investigation
Gregg Wallace's rise to fame began on BBC One's MasterChef, where he hosted for nearly two decades before being dismissed in November 2024. This followed an investigation by production company Banijay Entertainment, which instructed law firm Lewis Silkin LLP to look into allegations of misconduct. The investigation upheld 45 out of 83 complaints against Wallace, substantiating claims of inappropriate sexual language and humour, as well as a smaller number of allegations involving other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress.
The BBC issued a formal apology to those impacted by Wallace's behaviour, acknowledging that opportunities were missed to address his conduct sooner. They stated, "This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us." In a related development, Wallace's co-host John Torode was also sacked just over 24 hours later over a substantiated allegation of racist language, which Torode said he had no recollection of and was shocked by.
Life After MasterChef
Following his exit, Wallace has been replaced on MasterChef by food critic Grace Dent, while Saturday Kitchen Live's Matt Tebbutt has taken over his role on MasterChef: The Professionals. Despite the controversy, Wallace's popularity on Cameo suggests a resilient fan base, with Valentine's Day 2026 highlighting his ongoing appeal in the digital age. This shift from traditional television to personalised content platforms marks a new chapter for the 61-year-old father-of-three, as he navigates post-MasterChef life through direct engagement with supporters.
