The BBC has formally severed ties with longtime “MasterChef” presenter Gregg Wallace following the publication of an impartial investigation into his conduct, marking the top of his 20-year tenure on the flagship culinary competitors sequence.
In a press release launched following the Lewis Silkin investigation findings, the BBC confirmed that Wallace’s “return to ‘MasterChef’ is untenable” and that the company has “no plans to work with him in future.” The choice comes after what the BBC described as “a considerable variety of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years.”
The seven-month investigation, carried out by U.Ok. legislation agency Lewis Silkin, examined 83 particular allegations towards the 60-year-old presenter from 41 complainants. The investigation workforce, which interviewed 78 witnesses and reviewed contemporaneous paperwork and unedited program footage, substantiated 45 of the allegations — simply over half of these made.
In response to the investigation findings, nearly all of substantiated allegations (94%) associated to habits occurring between 2005 and 2018, with just one allegation substantiated after 2018. The substantiated allegations primarily concerned inappropriate sexual language and humor, with a smaller quantity regarding different inappropriate language and being in a state of undress. One allegation of undesirable bodily contact was additionally substantiated.
The investigation revealed that Wallace got here into contact with over 2,500 contestants throughout all “MasterChef” sequence throughout his tenure from 2005 to 2024. The report famous that Wallace “was constantly described as energetic, humorous and usually capable of put contestants comfortable, which contributed to the present’s success.” Nevertheless, it discovered that interactions and feedback made inside earshot of contestants or colleagues “generally resulted in offense and/or left folks feeling uncomfortable.”
Through the course of the investigation, Wallace was recognized with autism spectrum dysfunction. The Lewis Silkin report said that “the findings made must be considered within the context of his neurodiversity,” noting his use of humor as a “masking” approach and problem studying social cues.
The investigation additionally discovered proof of 11 formal or casual complaints or issues about Wallace’s habits over the interval from 2005-2024. A proper investigation was undertaken by the manufacturing firm in 2015, and the BBC intervened in response to a criticism in 2017, “following which Mr. Wallace was warned of the necessity to change his habits.” The report famous that Wallace “took steps to heed that warning” and made proactive efforts to switch his habits.
Nevertheless, the investigation highlighted systemic failures in dealing with complaints, significantly in earlier years. Previous to 2016, there was “little or no formal coaching or clear escalation procedures” for reporting inappropriate habits, resulting in underreporting. The report discovered that issues had been typically dealt with informally with out satisfactory record-keeping, and that freelance employees felt reluctant to complain resulting from job insecurity.
In response to the BBC, Wallace’s habits “falls under the values of the BBC and the expectations now we have for anybody who works with or for us.”
The company acknowledged institutional failures in addressing the scenario earlier, stating: “Though the total extent of those points weren’t recognized on the related time, alternatives had been missed to handle this habits — each by the manufacturing firms working ‘MasterChef’ and the BBC. We settle for extra may and may have been accomplished sooner.”
The Lewis Silkin report additionally upheld two further allegations regarding different people, which the BBC says it’s taking “very critically.” The company has requested producer Banijay U.Ok. to take motion to handle these points as a precedence.
Patrick Holland, government chair of Banijay U.Ok., acknowledged the findings in a press release: “While it makes for uncomfortable studying, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it additionally gives priceless perception to make sure that going ahead everybody engaged on our productions feels protected and supported.”
Holland famous that “while acknowledging Mr. Wallace’s autism analysis, which is related to sure behaviors recognized within the report… the quantity and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace’s return to ‘MasterChef’ untenable.”
The investigation started final 12 months after Wallace stepped down from “MasterChef” in November 2024 following preliminary allegations of sexually inappropriate feedback made by 13 individuals who labored with him between 2005 and 2022. The scenario escalated dramatically when BBC Information revealed that fifty new accusers had come ahead, together with 11 ladies who alleged inappropriate sexual habits equivalent to groping and touching.
Wallace initially denied all allegations by his legal professionals, calling them “solely false.” He later posted a controversial Instagram video claiming the accusations got here from “a handful of middle-class ladies of a sure age.” Extra just lately, he posted a combative assertion claiming vindication from the Lewis Silkin investigation, although he acknowledged the report discovered him “primarily responsible of inappropriate language” between 2005 and 2018.
“I acknowledge that a few of my humor and language, at occasions, was inappropriate. For that, I apologize with out reservation,” Wallace wrote in his Instagram assertion. Nevertheless, he additionally struck a defiant tone, declaring: “I cannot go quietly. I cannot be canceled for comfort.”
The BBC’s choice leaves the way forward for “MasterChef” unsure. The company said it has not but made a ultimate choice on broadcasting the sequence that was filmed final 12 months, acknowledging that is “disappointing for followers of the present and people who took half.” Banijay U.Ok. will seek the advice of additional with novice contestants at an acceptable time, based on the BBC.
The BBC concluded its assertion by reaffirming its dedication to office requirements: “There is no such thing as a place for the abuse of energy, unacceptable habits or language on the BBC, or exhibits made for the BBC.”
Each organizations emphasised enhancements made to welfare techniques and reporting procedures since 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine, and once more in 2020 when Banijay acquired Endemol Shine. Banijay U.Ok. introduced the rapid rollout of an extra, externally run whistleblowing service throughout all productions.
Wallace’s departure ends a two-decade partnership with co-host John Torode that helped set up “MasterChef” as a cornerstone of BBC One’s programming and spawned a number of worldwide variations of the format.