TV chef Gregg Wallace has opened up about his financial struggles after being axed from the BBC's MasterChef last July, following an investigation into 83 historical allegations of workplace misconduct, 45 of which were upheld. Despite losing his £400,000 per year salary, Wallace says he is now far happier.
In a social media post, Wallace told followers: 'I used to earn a load of money, right? And then overnight, it stopped. So let me tell you what I've learned from this experience. Security is hugely important, but you don't need millions in order to feel secure.' He added that the moment they 'broke even' brought him a sense of calm and taught him a lot.
Wallace admitted that earning more money just to cover even bigger bills was 'just stress'. He said: 'I don't think now happiness can be found in earning more, but it can be found in not needing more. That is calmness. Happiness for me is companionship and simple pleasures anyway.'
The chef explained that he and his family are no longer scared about money and have worked hard to lower expenditure and budget for everything. While no longer working for the BBC, Wallace still earns an income through coaching people on healthy lifestyles and Cameo work, which he described as 'really good'.
Wallace is now looking forward to simple family holidays and offered advice: 'Don't upset yourself or bother yourself with trying to achieve things that you can't afford. Work hard on creating a lifestyle that you'll enjoy and that you can afford.'
As part of his lifestyle change, Wallace is putting his £1 million Kent mansion on the market for a 'much more modest' home in Yorkshire near his daughter. He plans to live there most of the year but spend several months in Italy, and intends to homeschool his son Sid.
