Gregg Wallace has hit out following the publication of a report into misconduct claims against him. The former MasterChef host, 60, had warned he would “not go quietly” after he was sacked from the BBC show by its production company Banijay.
Today Gregg Wallace has responded to the publication of the MasterChef review, saying that he “challenged” the groping claim against him that was upheld, but lost.
The presenter insisted that “none of the serious allegations against me were upheld” even though the review found him guilty of the “unwanted touching” plus three counts of being in “a state of undress”.
And holding the BBC responsible for not doing enough to help him to change, he warned that there would be more problems down the line. “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.
Today the sacked TV star said the last eight months of his life had been ‘brutal’ as he admitted he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the distress caused. More than 50 people who came forward to make allegations of misconduct against him.
(
BBC /Shine TV)
Statement in full
Breaking his silence on the findings, Wallace said today: “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.”
He continued: “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.”

(
PA)
The report, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, divided the complaints into seven categories. Of the 45 upheld, 12 were for inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), 16 were sexually explicit comments, three were for being in a state of undress, two were for sexualised comments made to or about someone, four were over being culturally insensitive or racist, seven were over bullying and one was for unwanted physical contact.
Yesterday the BBC said it welcomed the findings from Lewis Silkin and confirmed that Gregg had been informed “we have no plans to work with him in future”.
A statement said: “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.”
The BBC flagged that two allegations relating to “other individuals” working on MasterChef now needed to be urgently addressed by the production company.
“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.”
Last week, Wallace claimed he had already seen the report and said it “exonerates him of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year.” In a lengthy post shared on social media, he wrote: “I’ve taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins report – a decision I do not take lightly.
Substantiated Gregg Wallace accusations
Forty-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of “unwelcome physical contact”, were found to have been substantiated.
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.
“But 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.
“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”
He added: “My decision to go public now is also driven by the fact the BBC News division are intending to platform legally unsafe accusations, including claims which have already been investigated and not upheld by the BBC and found not credible by Silkins. The BBC is no longer providing balanced and impartial public service journalism.
“It is peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories. The BBC is choosing to allow BBC News to run with this uncorroborated tittle tattle in an attempt to ‘get ahead’ of the Silkin’s summary report and derail what has been an extremely thorough process.”
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeand Threads.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply