The BBC announced on Monday that it will no longer collaborate with Gregg Wallace, the host of the popular show “MasterChef,” following a report that confirmed numerous misconduct allegations against him. An investigation conducted by a law firm revealed that 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his tenure on the show from 2005 to 2018 were found to be true. The majority of the allegations involved instances of inappropriate sexual language and humor, with one incident of unwelcome physical contact.
Wallace, aged 60, temporarily stepped down from his hosting duties on the BBC reality show last year after multiple women accused him of making inappropriate sexual remarks and displaying improper behavior over a span of 17 years. The BBC faced criticism for allowing Wallace to continue hosting its prominent programs despite the complaints.
In a statement, the BBC expressed regret and declared that Wallace’s return to “MasterChef” was no longer feasible. The broadcaster informed Wallace that there are no intentions to collaborate with him in the future. It was acknowledged that there were missed opportunities to address his behavior by both the production companies managing “MasterChef” and the BBC.
Previous reports revealed that Wallace had been cautioned by his employers following a complaint in 2018, and an internal inquiry at that time deemed his conduct as unacceptable and unprofessional. The recent investigation highlighted the absence of formal training and clear reporting procedures for staff, particularly since many of those involved in the production were freelancers. This lack of structure led to underreporting and normalization of inappropriate conduct.
Despite the accusations, Wallace has vehemently denied them. In a statement shared on his Instagram account, he asserted that he will not be silenced and dismissed easily, emphasizing that he was judged by the media before all the facts were established. Wallace stirred controversy in December when he suggested that the complaints against him stemmed from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.”
“MasterChef” stands as one of the BBC’s enduring and beloved competition shows, having been adapted in various countries, including “MasterChef Australia.”