A REPORT into Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour has revealed two more people are facing a probe over fresh allegations.
The bombshell inquiry, carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin for production company Banijay, unveiled a litany of complaints against the MasterChef star, 60.
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The BBC have sacked the MasterChef starCredit: BBC
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A bombshell report into Gregg Wallace’s alleged behaviour revealed two further allegationsCredit: Olivia West
The report found out of the 83 allegations against Wallace, 45 were substantiated.
Most of them involved inappropriate s3xual language and humour.
But, the investigation also looked at 10 complaints made about other people, from the period between 2012 to 2018/2019.
Two were substantiated, relating to inappropriate language, one for swearing and the other for racist language.
“Lewis Silkin’s findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals,” stated the report.
“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.”
Of the substantiated claims regarding Wallace, some related to other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress, and one case of unwanted physical contact.
The report concluded 94 per cent of the allegations against Wallace related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018.
There was only one substantiated allegation after 2018.
Wallace was said to have been “co-operative and forthcoming” and during three interviews, which lasted a total of 14 hours.
The report found Wallace’s behaviour made people uncomfortable.
The TV star’s comments on set were sometimes met with laughter and they were only occasionally challenged at the time, the report found.
In a statement last week, Wallace told how he had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Investigators noted this as “highly relevant”, in understanding his difficulty reading social cues and use of humour as a “masking technique”.
The report has stated many people who worked on MasterChef were freelancers, who hesitated to make any complaints.
They claimed this was because they feared the stability of their jobs.
This saw the investigation rule there was an inadequate complaints and behavioural policy before 2016.
It found there was little or no formal training, or clear escalation procedures in place.
This resulted in underreporting and normalisation of inappropriate behaviour, the report stated.
It was revealed 19 people said they raised concerns about Wallace but only 11 formal, or informal, complaints were made about his behaviour on MasterChef between 2005 and 2024.
Claims we’ve previously reported about Gregg
THE report upheld 45 out of the 83 complaints made. Here we take a look at the allegations made against the TV star:
– November 28, 2024
Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate s3xual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News.
The TV star steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show’s production company, announces it is conducting an external review to “fully and impartially investigate” the claims against him.
BBC News says allegations include the presenter “talking openly about his s3x 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”.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, says he told “s3xualised” jokes during filming.
Model Ulrika Jonsson tells The Telegraph that when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, Wallace allegedly had to apologise after making a “rape joke”, which caused another female contestant to become “really distressed”.
Sir Rod Stewart takes to Instagram following the accusations, accusing Wallace of “humiliating” his wife Penny Lancaster on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.
Producer and director Dawn Elrick posts a letter on Instagram which includes a number of anonymous accounts from people who allege they “have experienced s3xism and s3xual harassment within the TV industry”. She claims the letter, which accuses Wallace of making lewd comments, was sent to the BBC in 2022.
The TV star’s lawyers say “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a s3xually harassing nature”, BBC News reports.
Wallace thanks his Instagram followers for “showing their support”.
– November 29, 2024
Wallace faces a string of new allegations with one woman, who worked on a travel show with him, accusing him of making “lesbian jokes constantly”, as reported by BBC News.
The charity Ambitious About Autism says it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the “recent allegations”.
– November 30, 2024
The Sunday Telegraph reports producer Georgia Harding, who worked on MasterChef between 2014 and 2015 and later Eat Well For Less, claimed she raised concerns about “inappropriate” behaviour from him while working on the show.
Banijay UK confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged behaviour.
– December 1, 2024
Wallace says in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making s3xual comments towards staff and guests have come from “middle-class women of a certain age”.
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp tells BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend that she was “so embarrassed” she thought she “might cry” after Wallace allegedly made a comment to her about his s3x life.
Celebrity MasterChef 2012 champion Emma Kennedy tells Times Radio the former greengrocer “just doesn’t understand that some behaviour is completely inappropriate”.
– December 2, 2024
Downing Street says Wallace’s response to the accusations being made against him was “inappropriate and misogynistic”.
A spokesperson also says that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Following the backlash, Wallace apologises for any “offence” or “upset” he caused with his remarks and said he will now “take some time out” while the investigation is under way.
– December 3, 2024
Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials are pulled from the BBC’s schedule.
Wallace faces fresh allegations with one woman claiming he touched her bottom after an event and another alleging he pressed his crotch against her while filming on a different show, according to BBC News.
– December 4, 2024
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says politicians should be ready to put in place “mechanisms” that would instil “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.
MasterChef presenter John Torode says in a social media post that he “loves being part of” the programme and “will continue to be a part of it” after Wallace stepped back from the show.
A ghostwriter claims Wallace s3xually harassed her while she was working on his 2012 autobiography.
– December 10, 2024
Ms 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” in relation to claims of misconduct while appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee.
– April 25, 2025
Wallace tells the Daily Mail he “thought about suicide all the time” after allegations of misconduct were made against him.
– July 8, 2025
Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay, BBC News reports.
Fresh claims about the TV presenter are made from 50 more people to the corporation 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 s3xual comments, with 11 women accusing him of inappropriate s3xual behaviour, such as groping and touching.
BBC News says it has not seen the final review from Banijay, but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.
In an Instagram post the former greengrocer 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.
It is not known which of these complaints – if any – were upheld.
Of these 11 identified complaints, eight were recognised as such at the time.
The other three were treated as comments, and no action was taken.
Four of the eight recognised complaints were raised with both the production company and the BBC, two with the production company only, and two with the BBC alone.
The BBC gave Wallace a formal warning in 2017 following a complaint.
The TV star removed himself from social settings and sought advice from colleagues to avoid further problems, it was stated.
BBC FIRING
The BBC have since announced the possibility of Gregg returning to MasterChef was “untenable”.
A “final decision” on whether the latest season of the show will be aired will “not be made at this stage”, the broadcaster added.
The full statement read: “We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace.
“In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace’s return to MasterChef is untenable.
“The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future.
“The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years.
“This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.
“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.
“We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year.
“We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace’s behaviour.
“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.
“The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production.
“At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year.
“We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants.
“In April the BBC published a detailed response to an independent review of workplace culture, which reinforces expectations around behaviour and that we will act more decisively when standards are not met.
“This also requires all TV production partners to align with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) standards.
“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.”
What did the report find?
FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of “unwelcome physical contact”, were found to have been substantiated.
An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace.
The report substantiated:
– Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo;
– Sixteen reports he made s3xually explicit comments;
– Two allegations that he made s3xualised comments to or about someone;
– Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments;
– Three claims that he was in a state of undress;
– Seven allegations of bullying;
– One allegation of unwanted touching.
The allegations span from 2005 to 2024
The BBC also admitted the new series of MasterChef is still hanging in the balace.
Their statement acknowledged that this might come as “disappointing” news.
Grace Dent is set to be announced as the replacement for Gregg on MasterChef UK, The Sun on Sunday revealed.
The food critic, 51, is understood to start filming for MasterChef UK alongside chef John Torode, 59, at the end of the summer.
While Gregg angrily slammed the BBC in his Instagram post on Monday, promising “not to go quietly”, the corporation have been keen to distance themselves from the presenter, saying he was not technically an employee.
A source said: “Gregg received his letter telling him his Masterchef job was gone and that, effectively, his 21 year tenure at the BBC is also over.
“He’s obviously in a pretty bad way, and hasn’t been sleeping at all these past few days. But he’s also incredibly angry, and feels his autism has been used against him – production company are basically saying he is incapable of change.
“‘Learned behaviour’ – presumably from his years down the markets as a greengrocer – was given as a main factor for his inappropriate actions and language.
“But given that a different production first raised concerns about his neurodivergence in 2018, and the word ‘odd’ also appears through the 200 page report against him, he feels his autism is being used against him.
“The report states the company has a duty of care towards both him and the public – as well as contributors and crew – and that it is clear he ‘struggles to distinguish the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.’ They therefore say they cannot guarantee a safe working environment if he is on a show.
“He is really angry the complaints against him came before he was put on a course in 2019. He therefore feels they are discriminating against his autism; that effectively they cannot accommodate a disabled person.”
‘COMPLETELY OFFENSIVE’
There has been a massive backlash from the appalled public, slamming the fallen star as being “completely offensive” for using autism as an excuse for his behaviour.
Others told him “how dare you” and said “it’s an insult”.
The Times reported Gregg’s friends as saying his autism means he can’t wear underwear.
Charities have also blasted the axed star, telling him it is not a “free pass for bad behaviour”.
The Sun revealed Gregg’s clinical team proposed clear accommodations, shared directly with the BBC, outlining how a supportive environment could be achieved.
He believes the BBC have chosen to ignore this.
The star has taken on bullish lawyer Dan Morrison – the man who represented Nigel Farage against NatWest.
He could now take Banijay and the BBC to tribunal.
Gregg has hosted Masterchef alongside John Torode since 2005 and has also fronted other BBC programmes including Inside the Factory and Supermarket Secrets.
In late 2024, it was reported that the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel “uncomfortable” in his presence.
However, he has been cleared of a number of the most serious allegations, including those against high profile complainants including Kirsty Wark and Penny Lancaster.
‘UNCOMFORTABLE READING’
MasterChef is produced by Shine TV, which is part of Banijay UK.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK, also released a statement after the report findings were published.
He said: “I’d like to thank Lewis Silkin for a thorough and detailed report which is the culmination of 7 months of extensive interviews and analysis. It provides much needed clarity on issues spanning almost 20 years.
“Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides 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.
“Ways of reporting concerns whilst working on our productions, protocols around behaviour and training for both cast and crew, have improved exponentially in recent years and I’m encouraged that this is acknowledged in the report.
“We constantly review welfare procedures across our productions to ensure that they are as robust as they can be. Banijay Entertainment already has a confidential speak up line for those wishing to raise issues, however we will be rolling out an additional externally run whistle blowing service across all our productions with immediate effect.
“This will not only provide additional external routes to raise issues or concerns but will also provide independent support and advice to cast and crew.
“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.
“The report also highlights a reluctance by production staff to raise issues or concerns, contributing to an underreporting at that time. As a business, and as an industry reliant on freelance roles, we need to continually address how we create environments where people feel safe and supported so issues can be addressed. Banijay UK fully supports the BBC’s recently announced Respect at Work guidance.
“Whilst acknowledging Mr Wallace’s autism diagnosis, which is relevant to certain behaviours identified in the report and accepting that the production could have done more to identify, manage and communicate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, the volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace’s return to MasterChef untenable.
“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.”
