An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has discovered that greater than half of the allegations towards him have been substantiated, together with one in all “unwanted physical contact”.
MasterChef’s manufacturing firm Banijay UK shared a abstract of its report into historic allegations of misconduct towards the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by unbiased legislation agency Lewis Silkin over seven months.
The report additionally stated the variety of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.
The investigation heard proof from 78 witnesses, together with 41 complainants.
There have been 83 allegations towards Wallace, and 45 of them had been substantiated. All had been associated to MasterChef.
Whereas nearly all of the substantiated allegations associated to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller variety of allegations of different inappropriate language and being in a state of undress had been additionally substantiated.
One allegation of undesirable bodily contact was substantiated.
Practically all of the allegations towards Wallace had been associated to behavior which is alleged to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with only one substantiated allegation going down post-2018.
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Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
Forward of the publication of the abstract, Wallace had stated he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made towards him.
Moreover, the report abstract discovered that there have been additionally 10 standalone allegations about different folks between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which had been substantiated. These folks weren’t named within the abstract.
The investigation discovered that complaints had beforehand been raised with the manufacturing firm between 2005 and 2024.
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Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
Whereas the report flagged insufficient reporting procedures previous to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine forward of Banijay buying Endemol Shine in 2020, it stated there have been vital enhancements to HR processes and coaching after 2016.
Whereas the investigation stated some formal motion was taken by the BBC in 2017, it additionally famous the company held no data relating to considerations raised over Wallace centrally, leading to points being addressed as a primary offence.
Responding to the findings of the report, the BBC stated the company had “no plans to work with [Wallace] in future,” saying his behaviour “falls below the values of the BBC”.
The BBC stated “opportunities were missed” to handle Wallace’s behaviour, including, “We accept more could and should have been done sooner”.
In relation to the allegations towards different people flagged within the report, the BBC stated that they had requested Banijay UK to take motion to handle these points, and stated it will “be completed as a priority”.
The company have but to determine if the MasterChef collection that was filmed with Wallace final 12 months will nonetheless be aired.
