Gregg Wallace probe upholds two complaints about behaviour of ‘other people’ on set – as BBC admits it ‘could and should have’ acted sooner on disgraced MasterChef star

The damning probe into Gregg Wallace reveals that two complaints about behaviour of ‘other people’ on set have been upheld – as the BBC has admitted it ‘could and should have’ acted sooner on the MasteChef host. 

The report into the disgraced star’s behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints, including one count of ‘unwanted physical contact’. 

Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was ‘extremely sorry’ to those who had been impacted by Wallace’s behaviour and added that the report makes the star’s ‘return to MasterChef untenable’.

The BBC said the investigation into a ‘substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct’ over 19 years highlighted behaviour that falls below the corporation’s values.

‘Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC,’ a spokesman added.

‘We accept more could and should have been done sooner.’

The corporation would not confirm whether they will broadcast the series of MasterChef they filmed with him last Autumn.

The seven-month investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, heard 83 allegations from 41 complainants against Wallace, all relating to his time on the cookery programme.

It also found that 10 standalone allegations were made about ‘other people’, from 2012 to 2019, with two claims, relating to swearing and racist language were upheld.

The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94%) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. Only one allegation was substantiated post 2018.

The report into Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour on MasterChef has upheld 45 of the 83 complaints against the disgraced star

Wallace co-hosted Masterchef for 17 years alongside John Torode (left) 

The majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. A smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated. 

The investigation team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024, six complaints were raised with the production company and 6 with the BBC (four of which had also been raised with the production company). 

However, the investigator found that ‘there was a tendency to address the concern informally on a case-by-case basis and not therefore consider each issue as additive to any prior allegations or to matters which had been observed by senior members of staff’.

More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017. 

Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was ‘highly relevant’ in the context of the findings.

They said: ‘Mr Wallace’s neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a ‘masking’ technique and his difficulty in reading social cues.

‘Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.’

The categories of allegations were separated in seven categories which included inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, culturally insensitive / racist comments, bullying, unwanted physical contact.

The majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, however, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated 

Out of the 45 upheld complaints, 27 occurred between 2005 to 2011, 17 from 2012 to 2018 and just one from 2019 to 2024.

Overall, the report concluded that 16 sexually explicit comments, 12 inappropriate comments, two sexualised comments to or about someone and four culturally insensitive/racist comments were made.

One incident of unwelcome physical contact and three incidents of being in a state of undress were also substantiated.

While, seven cases of bullying were upheld.

The report found that many contestants felt unable to speak out on MasterChef because ‘their desire to do well in the competition, meant that they were unlikely to complain or allow their reactions to show.’

Karen Baxter, the head of investigations at Lewis Silkin, who conducted the report did find that after the BBC warned Wallace about his behaviour in 2017 that he did change his behaviour.

The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94%) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018 

Mr Wallace has been banned from working at the BBC after executives ruled they did not ‘have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour’

She said: ‘There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations.’

A spokesman for the BBC said: ‘We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace. 

‘In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace’s return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future.

‘The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.

‘Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.

‘We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace’s behaviour.

Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was ‘highly relevant’ in the context of the findings 

He was previously blasted by disability charities for using his autism as an excuse for his behaviour

Gregg Wallace released a statement last week ahead of the Silkins report coming out

‘Lewis Silkin’s findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals. The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority.

‘The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production.

‘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.’