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Gregg Wallace has issued an apology, expressing “deep sorrow for any distress” caused, following the upholding of 45 complaints regarding his conduct on MasterChef.
In a statement released to the PA news agency, the television personality asserted he “never set out to harm or humiliate” anyone.
The substantiated complaints, which surfaced after his dismissal from the program, include allegations of unwelcome physical contact and instances of being in a state of undress.
According to the report, a total of 83 allegations were made against Wallace. The majority of the substantiated claims pertained to inappropriate sexual language and humor, as well as culturally insensitive or racist remarks.
The inquiry, conducted by an independent law firm, was commissioned by MasterChef’s production company, Banijay, following a BBC News investigation that initially revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments attributed to Wallace.
A decision regarding the upcoming season of MasterChef, filmed last year with Wallace, remains pending.
Downing Street has welcomed the BBC’s decision to “sever ties” with Wallace.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson stated, “It is imperative that appropriate measures are implemented to prevent future abuses of power.”
The report, released on Monday, detailed allegations against Wallace spanning a 19-year period.
It also noted 10 independent allegations against other individuals, with two being substantiated.
These two substantiated allegations, unrelated to Wallace, involved inappropriate language, including instances of swearing and racist remarks.
The report further indicated that Wallace received a diagnosis of autism during the investigation, stating, “The findings should be considered in the context of his neurodiversity.”
However, it also added, “Mr. Wallace acknowledges that his diagnosis may offer an explanation for some of his actions but does not wish to use it as a justification.”
Last week, Wallace faced criticism from autism charities and disability organizations after appearing to link the misconduct allegations to his recent autism diagnosis.
In his statement on Monday afternoon, Wallace reiterated his earlier assertion that “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.”
Wallace acknowledged that some of his humor and language “missed the mark,” but added, “I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off.”
He also expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, “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.”
The investigation team discovered evidence of six complaints raised with the production company and six with the BBC between 2005 and 2024.
Patrick Holland, chief executive of Banijay UK, acknowledged that in earlier years, “escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been.”
“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,” he added.
A BBC statement said: “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 offered its apologies to “everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace’s behaviour” and confirmed it has no plans to collaborate with the presenter in the future.
Gregg Wallace has been contacted for comment.
A former MasterChef worker who accused Wallace of exposing himself to her expressed feeling “relieved” by the inquiry’s outcome.
“I’m really pleased in particular that some of the more serious claims were upheld, and action has been taken,” she said.
Another individual, who accused Wallace of making inappropriate sexual comments, described the outcome as “a great result, and it completely invalidates him saying that he’d been cleared of most of the allegations.”
She added that she was “shocked” by the number of allegations.
“I really think there’s a lot of people at Banijay and the BBC who knew exactly what was happening and did nothing, who should be resigning.”
A former MasterChef contestant, who also accused Wallace of inappropriate sexual remarks and innuendoes, stated that she was pleased the report had validated the complaints made.
She added that she hoped it would encourage more women and girls to report instances of misconduct.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the allegations against Wallace as “horrendous and appalling.”
“This case highlights a wider issue and much more must be done to ensure that everyone working in the creative industries is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect,” she said.
Philippa Childs, head of the creative industries union Bectu, stated that the report demonstrates how “inappropriate behaviour has gone unchecked for far too long” in the industry.
“This is a real failure by Banijay to take these issues seriously and act accordingly,” she said.
Childs emphasized the “vulnerable” position of freelancers when “experiencing or witnessing poor behaviour” by individuals in “positions of power and influence.”
Employers, she added, have “a duty to stamp out bad behaviour and support their workforces when issues are raised.”
She concluded: “Misogyny, intimidation, ageism and sexual harassment should have no place in modern workplaces. Yet they continue to plague our creative industries, propped up by inadequate reporting mechanisms, a lack of accountability and an industry that enables extreme power dynamics and ‘untouchable’ talent.”
Last November, a BBC News investigation featured 13 individuals who alleged inappropriate sexual comments by Gregg Wallace.
Last week, it was revealed that Wallace had been dismissed as presenter of the cooking show, as dozens more individuals contacted BBC News with new accusations of inappropriate language, touching, and groping.
The 50 individuals who came forward to BBC News reported encountering Wallace in various shows and settings.
Approximately 20 were on Banijay productions, while others related to areas such as night clubs, awards ceremonies, and other television shows. Some of the individuals we spoke with also contributed to the Banijay inquiry.
BBC News maintains editorial independence from the wider corporation.
Dame Melanie Dawes said the BBC needed to complete reports and investigations sooner.
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