BBC admits MasterChef's future hangs in balance as Gregg Wallace banned for life

The BBC has shared a cryptic statement on the future of MasterChef after the full report into Gregg Wallace's behaviour was leaked. Production company Banijay upheld 45 allegations of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct against Wallace.

The report, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, found that the TV presenter's position on MasterChef had become "untenable" after a seven-month investigation into his behaviour.

The majority of complaints against him that were upheld related to sexual language and humour, while a smaller number related to him "being in a state of undress". One woman complained about him exposing himself while not wearing underpants, while another upheld allegation concerned "unwanted physical contact".

Following the findings, the BBC has admitted that no decision has yet been made about whether to air the MasterChef series featuring Wallace which was filmed last year.

They added that they have "no plans" to work with Wallace again.

A spokesperson said: “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.”

The BBC filmed a series with Wallace and his co-host John Torode last year, but was delayed amid the allegations against Wallace.

It has been rumoured that restaurant critic Grace Dent will replace Wallace for filming a new series which was due to begin at the end of summer. According to the insider, Grace, who replaced Gregg on Celebrity MasterChef earlier this year, is "a natural fit" for the show. The source added that Grace "loves to support up-and-coming talent in the industry and loves the format of the show."

READ MORE: Gregg Wallace's damning MasterChef report in full - sex slurs to state of undress

Today a report found that 45 out of the 83 allegations made against him were substantiated, all relating to his time on MasterChef, which he had presented alongside John Torode since 2005.

Wallace also hosted a number of other food-related programmes, including Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest and Supermarket Secrets.

Born in Peckham, south-east London, Wallace worked at Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market after leaving school, before becoming a restaurateur in the capital.
His broadcasting career began after he presented Talk on BBC Radio 4 with Charlie Hicks, and this then led to his first TV work, becoming the original presenter of the BBC show Saturday Kitchen in 2002.

As his fame grew, he also had a number of books published, including his 2012 autobiography, Life On A Plate.

He co-wrote Gregg’s Italian Family Cookbook with his fourth wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini, whom he married in 2016.

The couple have a son called Sid, while Wallace also has two children, Tom and Libby, from a former relationship.

He announced he was standing down from his role presenting Inside The Factory in 2023 in order to take care of Sid, who is autistic and non-verbal. Wallace has now revealed that he himself has been diagnosed with autism.

Wallace took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and was partnered with Aliona Vilani, becoming the first couple of the series to be booted out. He was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022 for his services to food and charity.

Wallace has been open about his fitness journey in recent years and started a weight-loss and health site called ShowMe.Fit as well as a healthy lifestyle podcast called A Piece Of Cake.

The TV star revealed that a doctor had cautioned him in 2017 that, thanks to high cholesterol, he was “heading for a heart attack” if he did not take action.

Earlier this month, he was sacked from Masterchef ahead of the report being published, while it was reported the BBC had banned Wallace from ever working at the organisation again.

Last week, before the report was published, Wallace spoke out in a lengthy post on Instagram, saying that he had 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 said.

"I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.

"I was hired by the BBC and MasterChef as the cheeky greengrocer. A real person with warmth, character, rough edges, and all.

"For over two decades, that authenticity was part of the brand. Now, in a sanitised world, that same personality is seen as a problem."

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