By Dayo Ade Olusola |M10news| July 28, 2025|
Gregg Wallace has claimed he was subjected to repeated sexual harassment while working on MasterChef, including being “groped” by women seeking selfies, as he broke his silence on the misconduct allegations that led to his dramatic exit from the long-running BBC cooking series.
The former MasterChef co-host, who was sacked following an independent review that upheld more than 40 complaints against him—including an incident involving “unwelcome physical contact”—has now fired back at the show’s complaints process, describing it as flawed and one-sided.
Speaking in a candid new interview, Wallace, 60, alleged that while filming MasterChef, he regularly received inappropriate comments and physical advances from female contestants and visitors, but never felt empowered to raise his own concerns.
“The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed – there are huge problems with it as things stand,” Wallace told The Sun. “Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too.”
The TV personality, who had been a staple of British food television for over two decades, insisted that he endured misconduct from others while maintaining a public-facing professionalism.
However, he claimed the broadcaster’s mechanisms for dealing with internal grievances failed to allow for balance or due process.
“Have you got any idea of the sexual references made to me on a daily basis?” he said. “How many times I’ve been touched by women wanting a selfie? How many times I’ve been groped? How many suggestive comments have been made to me?”
While Wallace stressed that he did not condone inappropriate conduct of any kind, he pointed out that such incidents were commonplace and rarely addressed when directed toward male television personalities. “The thought of complaining wouldn’t even cross my mind,” he admitted.
His remarks follow the findings of the explosive Silkins Review, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay UK, which ultimately led to Wallace’s dismissal earlier this year.
The review upheld 45 separate allegations, ranging from verbal misconduct to a bizarre incident in which Wallace allegedly walked around the studio with a sock over his genitals.
Wallace has now provided his version of events concerning the latter claim. According to him, the incident occurred after filming had ended, during a light-hearted moment among friends backstage.
“I was getting changed to go to a black-tie event. I put on my bow tie and shirt, and then a sock over my privates. I opened the door, said ‘Wahey!’ to four friends outside—Monica Galetti among them—and shut it again,” he recalled. “Nobody was distressed. Some were amused, others bemused. But I am not a flasher.”
Wallace categorically denied any intent to expose himself inappropriately and said his actions were misinterpreted as part of the formal investigation. “People think I’ve been taking my trousers down and exposing myself – I am not a groper,” he insisted.
He also revealed that, despite his long-running partnership with MasterChef co-host John Torode, the two were never close off-camera.
Wallace confirmed he has since unfollowed Torode and his wife, actress Lisa Faulkner, on social media.
“We never got on that well,” Wallace said, describing the behind-the-scenes tension that simmered for years.
Reflecting on the allegations that led to his dismissal, Wallace expressed regret over the impact his words or actions may have had on others, admitting he may have “said things that caused offence” and that some individuals might have been too “intimidated or nervous” to speak up at the time.
“I understand now how some people felt. I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’m still learning,” he said. “To those I hurt, I’m sorry. I don’t expect sympathy.”
Wallace’s remarks have reignited debate over the culture within UK television production teams, particularly in relation to male presenters navigating public and private boundaries.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over who will permanently replace Wallace on the flagship BBC programme.
According to reports, Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt is being lined up to fill one of the vacant presenter roles, with Great British Menu‘s Andi Oliver also tipped to join as co-host.
The BBC has yet to confirm the final line-up for the next season of MasterChef, but the broadcaster is understood to be reshaping the series in the wake of Wallace’s departure and the reputational damage from the Silkins findings.
Banijay UK, which oversees production of MasterChef, has declined to comment further on Wallace’s claims, but said earlier this year it was “committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive working environment for all staff, contractors, and talent.”
As the story develops, Wallace’s revelations are likely to prompt further scrutiny of how complaints—particularly those involving high-profile male figures—are handled within the British media landscape.
