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Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is suing the BBC and one of its subsidiaries for up to £10,000 following his axe from the show as he claims he suffered ‘distress and harassment’

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The BBC has issued a response to Gregg Wallace’s claim against them following his axe from MasterChef. Last week, it was reported the TV presenter was claiming up to £10,000 in damages from the BBC and one of its subsidiaries.

He claimed they allegedly caused him “distress and harassment” by failing to disclose to him his personal data. Wallace is suing the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited after he was sacked from the hit cooking competition in July.

Last year, it was announced that Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Over the summer, production company Banijay UK and the BBC said they had agreed “Mr Wallace’s return to MasterChef is untenable.”

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In court documents last week, barrister Lawrence Power said that Wallace was seeking damages for “distress, harassment and loss of amenity not exceeding £10,000”, damages under the UK General Data Protection Regulation, and interest. He is also seeking a court order that the BBC and BBC Studios comply with the subject access requests.

Now, the BBC has responded as they filed a defence at London’s High Court. They insisted Wallace was not “entitled to any damages” and said Wallace pursued his claim without giving them prior notice.

According to the Sun, the BBC said: “That voluntary disclosure demonstrates the claimant has no basis to claim damages for distress in respect of the withholding of such information.” The publication claimed Wallace is planning to launch a disability claim for damages regarding his then-undiagnosed autism.

Wallace began co-presenting MasterChef in 2005, but it was announced in November 2024 that he would step away from his role while the misconduct allegations were investigated. A review by law firm Lewis Silkin later upheld 45 of the 83 allegations against him, including one of “unwelcome physical contact”.

The report found that the “majority of the allegations against Wallace (94%) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018”, with only one allegation substantiated after that year.

It also concluded that the “majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour”, adding that “a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated”.

The report noted that during the course of the investigation, which was over a seven-month period, Wallace was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and said that the findings should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity.

Wallace issued an apology saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”. The former greengrocer said: “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.”

In July, the BBC 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 Mirror has contacted the BBC and Wallace’s representatives for comment.

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Britney Spears’ ex-husband Sam Asghari has spoken out about his former wife while reflecting on their marriage and defending his intentions during their relationship

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Sam Asghari has spoken out about his ex-wife Britney Spears, saying he only wants “the happiest” for her despite their split.

The 31-year-old actor and model was married to the pop superstar, 43, from 2022 until their separation in 2024. The pair first met in 2016 on the set of Britney’s Slumber Party music video and began dating soon after.

They announced their engagement in 2021 and tied the knot the following year in an intimate Los Angeles ceremony. Their marriage ended less than two years later, with Sam filing for divorce amid reports of “irreconcilable differences.”

Speaking to Us Weekly, Sam reflected positively on their time together, saying: “I just hope the happiest for her. And like I said before that, I celebrate the past, and it’s a big part of me, so I think everything should go well for her.”

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Sam, who is now dating Los Angeles real estate agent Brooke Irvine, went public with his new relationship in January after they were first spotted together in late 2024. “It’s been amazing,” he said of their romance.

Earlier this year, Sam revealed that before marrying Britney, he encouraged her to sign a prenuptial agreement to ensure her financial security.

Speaking on the Trading Secrets podcast, he explained: “I wanted her to have a prenup. I wanted to make sure she’s protected, because throughout her life, everybody – I don’t know one person that’s ever been in her life that didn’t take advantage of her. So it’s very sad. I wanted to make sure that I’m the person that [didn’t] do that.”

He also rejected claims that he ever used Britney for her fame or wealth. “I never get mad at the general public or fans or people that are seeing your life from a distance,” he said.

“Looking from an outside perspective, I see there’s an age difference, there’s a fame difference, there’s this, there’s that. But realistically, we met as co-stars.”

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Now focused on his acting career, Sam said he isn’t concerned about public opinion. “It’s all for me,” he explained.

“My career is always going to be, I’m always going to do things that’s going to benefit the fans and people that are watching me. And I want to be a good example. But at the same time, it’s because that makes me feel better.”

It comes after Britney recently concerned her fans as she admitted to “snapping” her legs after falling down the stairs. The pop icon, 43, often takes to Instagram to upload clips of her dancing at home.

However, one of her latest posts caught the attention of fans as she had a knee support covering on her leg. She danced in a shimmering mini dress with feathered hem but also had white bandages on her hands.

Britney revealed her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James had just left to go to their home in Maui with dad Kevin Federline and shared how dance lets her feel free.

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Alongside the post, the Baby hitmaker wrote: “This is the way I express myself and pray through art … father who art in heaven … I’m not here for concern or pity, I just want to be a good woman and be better … and I do have wonderful support, so have a brilliant day !!!”

In a concerning update, Britney added: “Psss I fell down the stairs at my friend’s house … it was horrible … it snaps out now and then, not sure if it’s broken but for now it’s snapped in !!!Thank u god.”

A large bruise could be seen on her wrist as well as smaller bruises along her arm and body. Just an hour later, Britney returned to Instagram in a leopard print bodysuit for more dance routines. She said: “As Madonna says, express yourself don’t repress yourself.”

The fears for Britney come four years after her conservatorship, which had begun in 2008, was terminated in the wake of the online “Free Britney” movement.

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