"I felt very alone, under siege"— MasterChef's Gregg Wallace apologizes for his response to misconduct allegations

MasterChef UK presenter Gregg Wallace has publicly apologized for comments made regarding allegations of inappropriate behavior spanning nearly two decades. On November 26, 2024, the BBC reportedly sent a letter to Wallace's representatives outlining accusations from 13 individuals who claim he made inappropriate sexual comments over a 17-year period across various programs.

Wallace initially dismissed the allegations, attributing them to "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age"—a statement he later retracted.

The accusations involve incidents dating back to 2005, across five television shows: MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef, Eat Well for Less?, Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends, and Impossible Celebrities. According to The Guardian, complaints range from inappropriate comments to unprofessional conduct.

Gregg Wallace has denied the allegations, asserting that his long career has involved thousands of contestants from diverse backgrounds without similar complaints. Initially dismissive, he later issued an apology through an Instagram video which he posted on his story on December 3,

"I want to apologize for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday, and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people. I wasn't in a good head space when I posted it. I felt very alone, under siege."

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Gregg Wallace's response and public apology

Former MasterChef contestant Dr. Kate Tomas, who appeared on the show in 2008, described Gregg Wallace's behavior as 'disgusting and repulsive,' also alleging racist conduct. Kirsty Wark, a journalist who competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2011, recalled Wallace’s s*xualized jokes making participants uncomfortable, as reported by ITV on November 29.

Production executives reportedly acknowledged the behavior but considered it a recurring issue rather than addressing it directly.

As per LBC on November 29, several former colleagues provided detailed accounts of Wallace’s alleged conduct. Emma Kennedy, the 2012 Celebrity MasterChef winner, claimed to have witnessed Wallace inappropriately touching a female assistant. Others reported that Wallace discussed intimate aspects of his personal life and showed explicit images on set.

In one instance reported by LBC on November 29, during Big Weekends in 2019, Wallace reportedly removed his shirt in his hotel room, suggesting it was part of a "fashion show."

Further allegations include Gregg Wallace making inappropriate jokes about lesbian relationships and commenting suggestively about female colleagues’ appearances. Kirstie Allsopp accused Wallace of making inappropriate remarks within an hour of meeting her.

Singer Sir Rod Stewart also criticized Gregg Wallace, calling him an "ill-mannered bully" for allegedly humiliating Stewart’s wife on MasterChef in 2021.

He acknowledged the stress of the situation and announced plans to take a step back during the investigation, "It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out while this investigation is underway. I hope you understand and I do hope that you will accept this apology."

Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, confirmed that Wallace would step away from his role during an independent investigation. The company emphasized its commitment to a safe working environment,

"Our duty of care to staff is always a priority, and our expectations regarding behavior are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions."

The BBC, while clarifying that Gregg Wallace worked with external production companies, stated they would not tolerate behavior falling below expected standards. Downing Street described Wallace’s initial remarks as "misogynistic" and expressed deep concern over the allegations. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has reportedly engaged in discussions with BBC leadership regarding the matter.

Despite the controversy, the BBC confirmed that the current series of MasterChef would continue airing as scheduled. A Christmas special, already produced, is also set for broadcast. The network highlighted the show’s impact on contestants’ careers, stressing that it "is about more than one individual."

Some MPs, including Rupa Huq, suggested pausing the series out of sensitivity to the allegations, but the BBC chose to proceed, citing the importance of honoring participants’ efforts.