July 14, 2025: Longtime MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace will not return to the show following a months-long investigation that substantiated multiple historical misconduct allegations against him. In November 2024, the show’s production company Banijay UK announced Wallace would step away as investigators looked into claims of inappropriate behaviour. A newly released report by law firm Lewis Silkin has now concluded that a majority of the complaints—94%—stem from incidents between 2005 and 2018, with only one incident found to have occurred after that period.
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The report confirmed that most substantiated allegations involved inappropriate sexual language and humor. It also cited a smaller number of incidents involving Wallace being in a state of undress and using inappropriate language, as well as one instance of unwelcome physical contact.
The seven-month investigation noted that during the process, Wallace was formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, urging that his behaviour be viewed in light of his neurodiversity. Wallace participated fully, providing over 14 hours of testimony across three interviews.
Additional allegations were made against others during the investigation—ten in total—with two substantiated: one involving racist language and another involving swearing.
Despite Wallace’s cooperation, Banijay UK stated his return to MasterChef was “untenable.” CEO Patrick Holland acknowledged serious shortcomings in past HR procedures, especially prior to 2016, and apologized to those impacted. “We are extremely sorry to anyone who felt unheard or unsupported at the time,” he said.
The BBC echoed this sentiment, saying it has “no plans” to work with Wallace again. The broadcaster acknowledged missed opportunities to act and affirmed that Wallace’s conduct “falls below the values of the BBC.”
As for a MasterChef season filmed before the investigation concluded, the BBC said no final decision has been made about whether it will be aired, and further consultations will be held with contestants.
Wallace, 60, had previously denied the allegations through his lawyers, calling claims of sexual harassment “entirely false.” In December, he sparked further backlash by blaming complaints on “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age,” later apologizing for the comment.
In a July 8 Instagram post, Wallace claimed he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” and shared his recent autism diagnosis, which he said had long been suspected by his colleagues.
Wallace’s TV career spans more than two decades, with notable appearances on Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less?, Inside The Factory, and Supermarket Secrets. But he is best known for his central role in MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals, and Celebrity MasterChef.