Gregg Wallace has spoken out as BBC executives continue their investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The MasterChef host, who has been taken off the air while the probe is ongoing, has maintained his innocence, stating that he trusts his conscience in the matter.
Wallace Speaks Out on Social Media
The 60-year-old presenter took to Instagram in the early hours of the morning, posting a cryptic message that read:
]“One voice you can trust is your conscience. What’s it telling you to do?” The statement was accompanied by an image of his dog in the Kent countryside,
a setting that suggests he has been spending time away from the public eye.
Wallace also addressed personal growth and learning from mistakes, writing on his diet and fitness company blog:
“Don’t ever worry about slipping up! Mistakes are never the end of your journey. See them for what they really are—slip-ups. You are only human. If you learn a lesson from them, that is a major step forward.” He added: “What is perfection anyway? No such thing, right? We should all be trying to improve our lives bit by bit.”
Investigation Into Misconduct Allegations
The BBC and MasterChef producers Banijay UK launched an external investigation into Wallace’s behavior following complaints from multiple women. A total of 13 individuals have accused him of sexually inappropriate conduct over a period spanning 17 years. Allegations include making inappropriate sexual jokes, asking female production team members for their phone numbers, and undressing too close to women on set. Three women have also accused him of groping them in separate incidents.
In response, Wallace has strongly denied any wrongdoing. His legal representatives insist that the claims that he engaged in sexually harassing behavior are “entirely false.”
Fallout from the Allegations
Following the emergence of these allegations, Wallace stepped away from MasterChef in November 2024. A law firm, Lewis Silkin, has been hired to oversee the inquiry, with multiple women set to be interviewed as part of the investigation. BBC bosses have not yet announced whether Wallace will return to the show, with the decision likely to be based on the findings of the ongoing review.
The scandal has had a ripple effect beyond MasterChef. A top comedian reportedly had to axe an entire episode of a new series due to Wallace’s involvement. Meanwhile, prominent figures such as journalist Kirsty Wark and property expert Kirstie Allsopp have spoken out against Wallace, adding to the mounting scrutiny surrounding his alleged behavior.
Wallace’s Initial Response and Apology
When the allegations first surfaced, Wallace dismissed them in a controversial video rant, claiming they came from “middle-class women of a certain age.” The statement was widely criticized, leading to Wallace issuing a public apology, stating: “I want to apologize for any offence caused and any upset I may have caused.” He further admitted, “It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is underway.”
Since his departure from television, Wallace has remained largely out of the spotlight, focusing on his family and his business, Gregg Wallace Health. He has only made occasional social media appearances, including a recent post about making protein pancakes, which some interpreted as a subtle attempt to rebuild his public image.
Future of MasterChef
As MasterChef faces uncertainty over Wallace’s fate, the show has already taken steps to move forward without him. Food critic Grace Dent, 51, has been named as his replacement and will co-host the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode. Dent expressed excitement over her new role, stating, “I’m thrilled to be part of such an iconic show.”
With the investigation reportedly nearing its conclusion, the BBC is expected to make a decision about Wallace’s future soon. For now, the presenter remains sidelined as the inquiry unfolds, and the television world waits to see how the situation will resolve.
Whether Wallace will make a return to MasterChef or permanently step away from the limelight remains to be seen, but the allegations and their aftermath have already left a lasting impact on his career and reputation.
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