Gregg Wallace Sacked as MasterChef Presenter Amidst Escalating Misconduct Allegations

Renowned television personality Gregg Wallace has reportedly been dismissed as the presenter of the popular cooking show MasterChef. This significant development follows an internal inquiry into allegations of misconduct, with BBC News understanding that the decision has been made by the show’s production company, Banijay. The situation has intensified as an additional 50 individuals have come forward to the BBC, presenting fresh claims against the long-standing presenter. These new allegations include serious accusations of groping and indecent exposure.

Wallace, who has been a prominent figure on British television for twenty years and the face of BBC One’s MasterChef, has denied the claims. In a recent statement on Instagram, Wallace asserted that an independent inquiry, conducted by an external law firm on behalf of Banijay, had cleared him of the “most serious and sensational allegations.” He acknowledged that some of his past humor and language may have been inappropriate, for which he offered an unreserved apology, but maintained he was not the “caricature now being sold for clicks.” He further criticized BBC News reporting as “uncorroborated tittle tattle.”

However, BBC News has not had access to the Banijay report. The fresh claims emerging from over 50 individuals paint a concerning picture of Wallace’s conduct across various shows and settings. While many allege inappropriate sexual comments, a significant number—eleven women—accuse him of inappropriate sexual behavior, including groping and unwanted touching. These allegations raise critical questions for the BBC and other associated companies regarding their safeguarding protocols and their duty of care towards employees and participants.

The testimonies often highlight a power imbalance, with many of the women being young, freelance professionals who feared professional repercussions if they spoke out. One former cameraman described witnessing Wallace making overtly sexual comments, including asking a female director about her “lesbian clothing” and asking a female worker if she had “friends with nice tits.” He emphasized, “It’s not banter, it’s not how you should behave in a professional workplace.”

Some of the alleged incidents date back more than a decade. Alice, who worked on MasterChef between 2011 and 2013, reported an incident where Wallace allegedly asked her into his dressing room, pulled down his trousers, and stated he was not wearing underwear. Despite her immediate report to a senior member of the production team, she claims her concerns were dismissed with the phrase, “You’re over 16, you’re not being ‘Jimmy Saviled’.” This response, she felt, indicated a culture of indifference towards junior staff.

Another accuser, Anna, who worked on a photo shoot with Wallace in 2012, described him being “very touchy-feely” and making lewd comments. She recalled him adjusting his clothing in front of her and grabbing her hips. She felt “undermined” by the experience and, like others, did not complain due to her junior position and fear of job loss. Anna expressed anger at Wallace’s past dismissal of allegations as coming from “middle-class women of a certain age,” questioning if his behavior was considered acceptable towards younger women.

The allegations underscore a broader issue within the creative industries, where “cultures of silence” can prevent victims from speaking out. Human rights barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy highlighted the vulnerability of freelancers, who may fear losing work if they are perceived as “complainers,” especially when challenging high-profile personalities. She noted that there have been “multiple missed opportunities” to address such behavior historically.

Previous complaints about Wallace’s conduct have surfaced. In 2017, radio host Aasmah Mir reportedly complained to Shine (then MasterChef’s producer) and the BBC’s Kate Phillips about his behavior on Celebrity MasterChef. Internal emails suggested Phillips informed Wallace his conduct was “unacceptable and cannot continue.” A year later, a letter from Phillips to workers on another BBC show, Impossible Celebrities, indicated that Wallace’s behavior had been “unacceptable” and “unprofessional,” and that measures would be taken to safeguard others.

Despite these past interventions, further claims have emerged, including a 2022 incident where a 19-year-old MasterChef worker reported Wallace’s comments about her body, only to be dismissed as “just a joke.” Additionally, a former police officer attempted to report Wallace’s alleged inappropriate comments at a 2023 charity event to the BBC, but received no response. While a recent BBC report acknowledged that some stars and managers “behave unacceptably” and that leadership often fails to address it, the broadcaster has stated that Kate Phillips was unaware of claims prior to 2017 or subsequent incidents.

In response to the latest allegations, Wallace’s spokesperson stated he continues to cooperate with the Banijay UK review and denies engaging in sexually harassing behavior. Banijay UK has declined to comment on specific allegations while the investigation is ongoing. The BBC reiterated its position, stating it would not comment until the investigation is complete and its findings are published.

Wallace previously suggested in a Daily Mail interview that some claims were untrue, while admitting to making inappropriate jokes. However, he categorically denied groping any workers.

The situation has led to calls for greater accountability, with one accuser stating, “Gregg’s time has come. But the most senior leadership who have clearly heard these testimonies over the years and not chosen to remove him sooner, should also resign.” This sentiment reflects a broader demand for systemic change and robust safeguarding measures within the television industry to protect individuals from harassment and misconduct.