Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has spoken out ahead of the release of a long-awaited report into allegations of inappropriate behaviour spanning his two-decade career with the BBC.
The 60-year-old presenter said he would not remain silent while his reputation is “further damaged to protect others.”
Wallace’s statement comes amid reports that he has been dropped by the broadcaster following an independent investigation commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay UK.
The probe, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, was launched after multiple accusations surfaced alleging Wallace had made sexual comments towards staff and celebrity guests across various BBC programmes over 17 years.
In November, Wallace voluntarily stepped back from MasterChef, where he had become a familiar face since its reboot in 2005. The new series, which aired this spring, introduced restaurant critic and I’m A Celebrity alum Grace Dent as his replacement.
In a public statement posted to Instagram, Wallace said:
“I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me… The most damaging claims — including from public figures which have not been upheld — were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”
He acknowledged, however, that the report found him “primarily guilty of inappropriate language between 2005 and 2018” and offered an unreserved apology.
“I recognise that some of my humour and language in the past was inappropriate. For that, I am truly sorry. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks,” he wrote.
Referring to his public persona as the “cheeky greengrocer,” Wallace added that the personality once embraced by the BBC had now become “a problem in a sanitised world.” He also referenced his recent autism diagnosis, suggesting his behaviour may have been misinterpreted.
Wallace’s departure also led to the removal of several previously recorded MasterChef specials from the BBC’s festive lineup, including Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and the Strictly Festive Extravaganza.
The BBC said it would refrain from commenting until the investigation’s findings are published.
A Banijay spokesperson told Sky News: “We won’t be commenting until our report is published.”
The Lewis Silkin report is expected to be released later this week or early next week.
Editing by M10News Culture Desk | Contact: culture@m10news.com
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