The BBC confirmed that 45 of 83 allegations against former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace were substantiated following a seven-month investigation by Lewis Silkin law firm, which examined his conduct from 2005 to 2018. The upheld complaints primarily involved inappropriate sexual language and humor, with one instance of unwanted physical contact documented among evidence from 78 witnesses. The corporation declared Wallace’s position “untenable” and permanently severed ties, while broader workplace issues emerged throughout the extensive review.
Following an extensive seven-month investigation that substantiated 45 of 83 allegations against former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace, the BBC announced Tuesday that it has permanently severed ties with the television personality, declaring his position “untenable” after findings of inappropriate sexual language, unwanted physical contact, and other misconduct spanning nearly two decades of the popular cooking show’s production.
BBC permanently cuts ties with Gregg Wallace following investigation that substantiated 45 misconduct allegations spanning two decades of MasterChef production.
The investigation, conducted by independent law firm Lewis Silkin, examined evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants, focusing primarily on Wallace’s conduct during MasterChef production between 2005 and 2018. Nearly all substantiated allegations occurred within this timeframe, with only one incident documented after 2018, indicating a pattern of behavior that persisted throughout Wallace’s tenure as host.
The majority of upheld complaints involved inappropriate sexual language and humor, while investigators also substantiated one instance of unwanted physical contact and additional allegations concerning inappropriate language and being in a state of undress. The report’s findings prompted the BBC to issue a public apology, acknowledging that the broadcaster and MasterChef production companies had missed opportunities to address Wallace’s behavior earlier.
Wallace, who stepped away from hosting duties during the investigation, maintains he was cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations,” though the full report remains confidential. The BBC confirmed that no future work will be offered to Wallace, effectively ending his long-standing relationship with the broadcaster following his significant public profile development through the popular cooking competition. Wallace criticized the complaints as coming from “middle-class women of a certain age” and expressed his intention to fight against being cancelled. In his response to the allegations, Wallace mentioned that a late autism diagnosis helped him understand how his behavior may have been perceived by others.
Banijay UK, the independent production company responsible for MasterChef, shared the investigation’s summary findings and concurred that Wallace’s return would be untenable given the substantiated evidence.
The investigation also revealed broader workplace issues, substantiating two of ten standalone allegations against other unidentified individuals between 2012 and 2019.
The announcement intensifies scrutiny of the BBC’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations and highlights systemic oversight gaps in television production environments. Wallace’s departure marks a significant change for MasterChef’s hosting structure and raises questions about industry accountability measures for protecting workers from inappropriate workplace conduct.
