An investigation into the conduct of MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace said more than 40 allegations of inappropriate behaviour were “found to be substantiated”, including inappropriate sexual language, being in a state of undress and one incident of “unwelcome physical contact”.
Wallace stepped back from presenting the BBC show in November 2024 after several historical allegations were disclosed.
An investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin, commissioned by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK, was conducted over a seven-month period, hearing 83 allegations against Wallace from 41 complainants, all relating to his time as presenter on the show.
The investigation found 45 of the allegations against Wallace to be substantiated.
The team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024, six complaints were raised with the production company and six with the BBC, four of which had also been raised with the production company. More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017, the report said.
Banijay UK also said that during the course of the investigation, Wallace was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, with the report saying that the findings “should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity”.
Last week, BBC News reported that Wallace had been sacked from his hosting role on Masterchef ahead of the review’s release.
In light of the review’s findings, the BBC said it had agreed with Banijay UK that his return to the cooking show was “untenable”.
In a statement on his Instagram account last Tuesday, ahead of the report, Wallace said: “After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.
“I have now been cleared by the Silkins (sic) report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.
“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”
He continued: “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.”
“I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest, ” he added.
Patrick Holland, chief executive of Banijay UK, said that while the report “makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures”, it also provided “valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported, and that inappropriate behaviour is quickly and professionally dealt with”.
Mr Holland added: “In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff.”
He said Wallace would not be returning to MasterChef, adding: “We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed.
“MasterChef is a much-loved show which, year in, year out, changes the lives and careers of contestants, amateur and professional alike.
“It’s made by a brilliant team of outstanding professionals and we look forward to bringing more exceptional cooking to screens in the coming months and years.”
The BBC said it welcomed the publication of the review into Wallace’s conduct and had informed the presenter it has “no plans to work with him in future”.
A statement by the corporation read: “Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.”
The BBC thanked those who took part in the investigation, and apologised to “everyone who has been impacted” by Wallace’s behaviour.
It continued: “Lewis Silkin’s findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals. The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority.”
“We want to reaffirm, there is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behaviour or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC,” the corporation added.
The BBC said it had not made a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year.
Production company Banijay announced the external review after BBC News reported that the MasterChef host faced allegations of inappropriate sexual comments.
Timeline of the allegations:
November 28, 2024
BBC News reports that Gregg Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across several shows over 17 years.
Wallace steps down from his role on MasterChef, and the production company behind the show Banijay, announces it will be conducting an external review to investigate the claims against Wallace.
BBC News says the allegations included the presenter “talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to ‘give her a fashion show’, and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans”.
The former Masterchef contestant and broadcaster Kirsty Wark came out and said that Wallace told “sexualised” jokes during filming.
In an interview with the The Telegraph, TV presenter and model Ulrika Jonsson said that during her time on Masterchef in 2017, Wallace allegedly had to apologise after making a “rape joke”, which caused another female contestant to become “really distressed”.
Musician Sir Rod Stewart accuses Wallace of “humiliating” his wife Penny Lancaster when she appeared on Celebrity Masterchef in 2021 in a post on Instagram.
A letter was then posted to Instagram by Dawn Elrick, which collected several anonymous reports from people who alleged they “have experienced sexism and sexual harassment within the TV industry”. She claimed that the letter, which accused Wallace of making crude comments, was sent to the BBC in 2022.
BBC News then reports that Wallace’s lawyers say “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
November 29, 2024
New allegations are made against the TV star, with the charity Ambitious About Autism dropping him as an ambassador.
They cited “recent allegations” as their reason.
November 30, 2024
Banijay UK confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged behaviour.
December 1, 2024
Wallace turns to Instagram, where he posts a video claiming that the accusations about him making sexual comments have come from “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Emma Kennedy, champion of Celebrity MasterChef in 2012 tells Times Radio that Wallace “just doesn’t understand that some behaviour is completely inappropriate”.
December 2, 2024
The government says that the former green grocer’s comments regarding the allegations were “inappropriate and misogynistic”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, holds talks with BBC bosses.
Wallace apologises for any “offence” or “upset” he has caused with his remarks and says he will “take some time out” whilst the review takes place.
December 3, 2024
Wallace faces new allegations, and the two MasterChef celebrity Christmas special episodes get pulled from the channel’s scheduling.
December 4, 2024
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says politicians need to be ready to put “mechanisms” into place that would instill “confidence” that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about “women of a certain age”, reflecting comments Wallace apologised for.
A ghost writer who worked with Wallace on his 2012 autobiography claims she was sexually harassed by the presenter.
December 10, 2024
Whilst appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, Lisa Nandy says she is “prepared to take further action” if the creative industries cannot address “cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug” concerning claims of misconduct.
April 25, 2025
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Wallace says he “thought about suicide all the time” after the allegations were made against him.
July 8, 2025
BBC News reports that Wallace has been officially axed as presenter of MasterChef following the inquiry by Banijay.
A further 50 people make fresh claims against Wallace to the BBC, including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker and pulled his trousers down in front of another, BBC News says.
The majority claim he made inappropriate sexual comments, with 11 women accusing him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching.
BBC News say they have not seen the final review but believe the presenter has been sacked.
In an Instagram post, Wallace claims he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” against him, ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognises that some of his humour and language was inappropriate “at times” and apologised for this.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
