THE BBC has said it will “never work” with Gregg Wallace again as a bombshell report revealed a “substantial” number of allegations across 19 years.
The MasterChef star, 60, who was diagnosed as autistic midway through the investigation into complaints against him, was sacked after the BBC concluded he is unable to change his ways.
The BBC has released its bombshell report into disgraced Gregg Wallace’s misconduct[/caption]
Gregg was diagnosed as autistic midway through the investigation into complaints against him[/caption]
Gregg vowed he would not ‘go quietly’[/caption]
Now the findings of a long investigation into 30 historic complaints were unveiled today in a report.
The Beeb’s report, seen by the presenter, also references reputational damage to the corporation in light of comments he has made about them since he was taken off air.
The corporation said 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 BBC added.
The Beeb also said it takes the “findings very seriously” and will prioritise addressing “two further allegations” upheld against Gregg.
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.
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 sexually explicit comments;
– Two allegations that he made sexualised 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.
“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.”
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.
Allegations against the Masterchef star date back to 2017[/caption]
Gregg has been axed from the show following an investigation into his behaviour[/caption]
Gregg will no longer be working for the BBC[/caption]
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.”
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.
It comes after The Sun revealed the disgraced star called co-stars “sexy” 135 times on social media.
Not only this, but he called a former MasterChef winner and a BBC presenter a “sexy b***h” – with the post yet to be removed.
He called 2012 MasterChef winner Shelina Permalloo a “sexy b***h” and “sexy girl”.
In one exchange, he said: “Hello mate, how you doing? Sexy b***h!”
He also called former BBC Breakfast presenter Penny Haslam, whom he knows from them both being ambassadors for WeightWatchers, a “sexy b***h”.
In total, on his X page, Gregg calls people – men and women – “sexy” over 135 times.
This includes MasterChef finalist Angela Langford, MasterChef judge Monica Galetti, and interior designer Kelly Hoppen.
As well as This Morning’s Alison Hammond, Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood and former Page 3 model Linda Lusardi, whom he also called a “sexy girl”.
John Torode is constantly called “sexy” – and his wife Lisa Faulkner “hot point” and “pretty”.
Gregg has always claimed his behaviour isn’t harassment, yet ex-Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir publicly called him out for saying “sexy b***h” to her face.
The TV host claims he was cleared of all the serious allegations in the BBC probe, including accusations of groping.
The BBC later said 50 more people had approached the broadcaster with fresh claims about the MasterChef star, including allegations of sexual misconduct. Wallace denies the claims.
With Gregg’s sacking from the BBC revealed this week, he released a statement online.
He wrote: “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 report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.
“I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate.
“For that, I apologise without reservation.”
He claims that the stress led to him being taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack after two days of agonising chest pains.
Gregg Wallace on ‘Follow That Tomato’ in the 2000s[/caption]
Gregg has hosted Masterchef since 2005[/caption]
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[/caption]
