The BBC has officially severed ties with longtime “MasterChef” presenter Gregg Wallace following the publication of an independent investigation into his conduct, marking the end of his 20-year tenure on the flagship culinary competition series.
In a statement released following the Lewis Silkin investigation findings, the BBC confirmed that Wallace’s “return to ‘MasterChef’ is untenable” and that the corporation has “no plans to work with him in future.” The decision comes after what the BBC described as “a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years.”
The seven-month investigation, conducted by U.K. law firm Lewis Silkin, examined 83 specific allegations against the 60-year-old presenter from 41 complainants. The investigation team, which interviewed 78 witnesses and reviewed contemporaneous documents and unedited programme footage, substantiated 45 of the allegations – just over half of those made.
According to the investigation findings, the majority of substantiated allegations (94%) related to behavior occurring between 2005 and 2018, with only one allegation substantiated after 2018. The substantiated allegations primarily involved inappropriate sexual language and humor, with a smaller number relating to other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was also substantiated.
The investigation revealed that Wallace came into contact with over 2,500 contestants across all ‘MasterChef’ series during his tenure from 2005 to 2024. The report noted that Wallace “was consistently described as energetic, humorous, and generally able to put contestants at ease, which contributed to the show’s success.” However, it found that interactions and comments made within earshot of contestants or colleagues “sometimes resulted in offence and/or left people feeling uncomfortable.”
During the course of the investigation, Wallace was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The Lewis Silkin report stated that “the findings made should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity,” noting his use of humor as a “masking” technique and difficulty reading social cues.
The investigation also found evidence of 11 formal or informal complaints or concerns about Wallace’s behavior over the period from 2005-2024. A formal investigation was undertaken by the production company in 2015, and the BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, “following which Mr. Wallace was warned of the need to change his behavior.” The report noted that Wallace “took steps to heed that warning” and made proactive efforts to modify his behavior.
However, the investigation highlighted systemic failures in handling complaints, particularly in earlier years. Prior to 2016, there was “little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures” for reporting inappropriate behavior, leading to underreporting. The report found that concerns were often handled informally without adequate record-keeping, and that freelance staff felt reluctant to complain due to job insecurity.
According to the BBC, Wallace’s behavior “falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.”
The corporation acknowledged institutional failures in addressing the situation earlier, stating: “Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behavior – both by the production companies running ‘MasterChef’ and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.”
The Lewis Silkin report also upheld two additional allegations relating to other individuals, which the BBC says it is taking “very seriously.” The corporation has asked producer Banijay U.K. to take action to address these issues as a priority.
Patrick Holland, executive chair of Banijay U.K., acknowledged the findings in a statement: “Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported.”
Holland noted that “whilst acknowledging Mr. Wallace’s autism diagnosis, which is relevant to certain behaviours identified in the report… the volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace’s return to ‘MasterChef’ untenable.”
The investigation began last year after Wallace stepped down from “MasterChef” in November 2024 following initial allegations of sexually inappropriate comments made by 13 people who worked with him between 2005 and 2022. The situation escalated dramatically when BBC News revealed that 50 new accusers had come forward, including 11 women who alleged inappropriate sexual behavior such as groping and touching.
Wallace initially denied all allegations through his lawyers, calling them “entirely false.” He later posted a controversial Instagram video claiming the accusations came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.” More recently, he posted a combative statement claiming vindication from the Lewis Silkin investigation, though he acknowledged the report found him “primarily guilty of inappropriate language” between 2005 and 2018.
“I recognize that some of my humor and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologize without reservation,” Wallace wrote in his Instagram statement. However, he also struck a defiant tone, declaring: “I will not go quietly. I will not be canceled for convenience.”
The BBC’s decision leaves the future of “MasterChef” uncertain. The corporation stated it has not yet made a final decision on broadcasting the series that was filmed last year, acknowledging this is “disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part.” Banijay U.K. will consult further with amateur contestants at an appropriate time, according to the BBC.
The BBC concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to workplace standards: “There is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behavior or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC.”
Both organizations emphasized improvements made to welfare systems and reporting procedures since 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine, and again in 2020 when Banijay acquired Endemol Shine. Banijay U.K. announced the immediate rollout of an additional externally-run whistleblowing service across all productions.
Wallace’s departure ends a two-decade partnership with co-host John Torode that helped establish “MasterChef” as a cornerstone of BBC One’s programming and spawned multiple international versions of the format.