Gregg Wallace Breaks Silence After More Than Half Of Masterchef Allegations Upheld
Former Masterchef host Gregg Wallace has broken his silence following a BBC report substantiated 45 allegations against him.
Last week it was revealed that Gregg had been dropped as the host of MasterChef after 20 years at the helm, following an external investigation into complaints made to the BBC about his past conduct.
Gregg had originally announced he would be taking a leave of absence from MasterChef and its various spin-offs towards the end of last year while the investigation got underway.
In a statement released by the presenter this afternoon, he wrote: “For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld.
“I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.”
The 60-year old added: “A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I’m perceived. I’m still learning.”
The review found Gregg guilty of the “unwanted touching” plus three counts of being in “a state of undress.”
The report’s findings also concluded that six complaints had been received between 2005 and 2024 – an additional six in that time period were also received by the BBC. Seventy-eight witnesses provided evidence for the investigation.
The “vast majority (94 per cent)” of the original 83 allegations were linked to behaviour that allegedly happened between 2005 and 2018.
A series of MasterChef was reportedly filmed last year with Gregg in his usual role right up until the finale (per The Guardian). The upcoming series of Celebrity MasterChef was recorded after Gregg’s absence, with Grace Dent co-hosting with John Torode.
Gregg Wallace Statement In Full
“For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait.
“None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.
“I’m relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off.
“After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I’ve only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier.
“A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I’m perceived. I’m still learning.
“Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them. But in the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake.
“To those who’ve shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won’t be the last.
“There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.”