BBC Cuts Ties With 'MasterChef' Host Gregg Wallace Following Misconduct Investigation

An extensive inquiry has revealed serious allegations against the popular TV personality, including incidents of inappropriate behavior and remarks, leading to significant backlash against his return to the show.

In a shocking turn of events, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) revealed on Monday that it will cease collaboration with Gregg Wallace, the well-known host of the beloved cooking competition "MasterChef," due to substantiated accusations of sexual misconduct. The findings from an investigation indicated that out of 83 allegations against Wallace, 45 were upheld. These claims included serious incidents such as being in a “state of undress” and unwanted physical contact, alongside numerous instances of inappropriate sexual commentary and insensitivity towards cultural and racial subjects.

The inquiry, carried out by the law firm Lewis Silkin, spanned over seven months and included interviews with 78 witnesses, focusing on misconduct reported between the years 2005 and 2024. According to a statement from Banijay, the production company behind "MasterChef," the sheer volume and persistence of the verified allegations made Wallace's potential return to the series "untenable."

In reaction to the allegations, Wallace expressed his denial of several claims in a now-deleted Instagram post. He acknowledged that some of his humor and language could be perceived as inappropriate and issued an unreserved apology. “I was hired as the ‘cheeky greengrocer,’ characterized by warmth and rough edges,” he explained. “Yet in a sanitized world, that same personality is now viewed as problematic."

The fallout from this investigation has raised considerable public attention, as it spotlights accountability in the entertainment industry, where figures like Wallace have faced scrutiny over their behavior.