Former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace has embarked on a new career path, studying to become an autism coach, after discontinuing a High Court claim against the BBC for alleged distress and harassment. This shift follows his high-profile dismissal from the broadcasting giant last July, which came after an investigation into historical workplace misconduct allegations.
Legal Claim Dropped Amidst Controversy
Wallace was terminated by the BBC following a comprehensive review that examined eighty-three historical allegations of workplace misconduct. The investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, ultimately upheld forty-five of these accusations against the former presenter. The substantiated claims primarily involved inappropriate sexual language and humour, with one instance of unwelcome physical contact, mostly occurring between 2005 and 2018.
In response, Wallace filed a claim against the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited, seeking up to ten thousand pounds in damages. He alleged that the organisations failed to disclose his personal data, leading to significant distress and harassment. However, he discontinued this claim in February, just before a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 16. A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Wallace received no payment in costs or damages from either entity.
Wallace's Defence and Criticism of the Process
In public statements, Wallace has defended his record, insisting that only two complaints were formally raised during his twenty-year tenure on MasterChef. He argued that the remaining forty-three upheld claims emerged only after sensationalised initial allegations became public in late 2024. In a Substack post shared in January, he criticised the investigation process, describing it as not legal and asserting that the standard of proof would not withstand scrutiny in a court of law. Instead, he compared it to an internal human resources procedure.
Wallace alleged that an open invitation was issued, encouraging anyone who had ever worked with or met him to come forward with stories after his reputation had already been tarnished. He highlighted that over his career, he interacted with tens of thousands of people, including numerous contestants, film crews, and event attendees. He questioned whether anyone could survive such an investigation without complaints, given the broad scope and potential for grievances or misremembered moments.
New Focus on Autism Coaching
Inspired by his six-year-old son, Sid, who is autistic and nonverbal, Wallace is now channelling his energy into studying to become an autism coach. He aims to teach both children and adults diagnosed with autism to live self-sufficient lives. In a recent Instagram update, he expressed enthusiasm for his studies, emphasising that autism should not be viewed as a deficit. He noted that while challenges exist, every autistic person possesses unique strengths that can and should be built upon.
This venture marks the latest in a series of online endeavours for Wallace, who has also engaged in personalised video messages and promotional activities. Most recently, he promoted a range of non-stick ceramic pans on his TikTok account, declaring them the best non-stick cookware he has used.
Background and Apology
Wallace began co-presenting MasterChef with John Torode in 2005, but announced his departure in November 2024 as the misconduct allegations were investigated. Following the review, he issued a public apology, stating he was deeply sorry for any distress caused and that he never intended to harm or humiliate anyone. He acknowledged that all but one of the upheld complaints dated from before 2018, when he received a formal warning about his language.
As Wallace transitions from television presenting to autism advocacy, his story highlights a personal and professional transformation amidst ongoing public scrutiny. His commitment to supporting the autistic community, driven by his son's experiences, adds a new dimension to his public persona beyond the controversies of his broadcasting career.
