Gregg Wallace Report: Presenter's Position 'Untenable' After 45 Allegations Substantiated While Law Firm Reveals Complaints Made About Others On ‘MasterChef'
Banijay's executive summary of the report into Wallace confirmed the much-reported decision that he has been fired by the company after a spate of allegations of inappropriate sexual language and humor, along with unwarranted physical contact.
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Conducted by independent law firm Silkins, the report substantiated a weighty 45 allegations out of the 83 that were made. The full report will not be published and a six-page executive summary was made available this morning to press.
The majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace relate to inappropriate sexual language and humor. There were a small number of other inappropriate language complaints and of him being in a state of undress. One incident of unwelcome physical contact was substantiated, the report found.
'The volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace's return to MasterChef untenable,' said Banijay boss Patrick Holland's statement this morning.
Wallace was stood down late last year following allegations from around a dozen women including ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark about his behavior. Another 50 allegations were reported in a BBC News expose last week, at which point Wallace blasted BBC News for chasing 'slanderous click-bait' and publishing 'uncorroborated tittle tattle.' BBC News is editorially independent of the BBC, although it was the producer Banijay that conducted the report. The BBC has already told Wallace it can no longer work with him due to his behavior being a threat to the safety of others.
The majority of the substantiated allegations were found to have been made between 2005 and 2011, with only one made between 2019 and 2024.
However, during that time, the report found that there were at least 11 formal or informal complaints made about Wallace's behavior. Of the eight which were understood at the time to be complaints or concerns: four were raised to both the production company and with the BBC, two were raised only with the production company and two were raised only with the BBC.
The report found that one complaint with Banijay resulted in a 2015 investigation and action was taken to ensure the complainant was satisfied with the outcome, albeit Wallace was 'not informed about the complaint', while two years later the BBC took 'prompt steps' to address a different complaint. It has been reported that BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips, who was then overseeing MasterChef, sat down with Wallace for 90 minutes to chide him over his behavior. He remained working on MasterChef for a further six years.
The investigation was critical of the informal approach to complaints about Wallace made across the lengthy period. Things have improved significantly, it added, especially since Endemol Shine Group was bought by Banijay in 2020.
'There was a tendency to address the concern informally on a case-by-case basis and not therefore consider each issue as additive to any prior allegations or to matters which had been observed by senior members of staff,' it added. 'There was a failure to retain records of any action taken, particularly in the earlier years between 2005-2011, with the result that the effectiveness of any action taken could not be assessed. When addressed formally, issues were still not always raised clearly and directly with Mr Wallace, to the extent that he remained unaware of some, (although not all), of these concerns until the allegation arose in the press.'
Allegations go beyond Wallace
Notably, 10 standalone allegations were made against others over the period 2012 to 2019, according to the report, with two of these having been substantiated. It gave no further detail over these.
In its own statement, the BBC said it 'takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority.'
The report also stressed Wallace's recent autism diagnosis, which he discussed in his own statement last week. It said the 'findings should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity.'
'Mr Wallace's neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a 'masking' technique and his difficulty in reading social cues,' it added. 'Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.'
Deadline revealed last week that Banijay hired a full-time welfare specialist to support Wallace as he faced the misconduct allegations.
Holland, a former BBC Two chief who runs Banijay in the UK, said the report 'provides much needed clarity on issues spanning almost 20 years.'
'Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported, and that inappropriate behaviour is quickly and professionally dealt with,' he added.
He said Banijay will be launching an 'externally run whistleblowing service across all our productions with immediate effect.'
'We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed,' he added.
Final 'MasterChef' season
Much has also been made of the broadcast of the final season of MasterChef to feature Wallace, which was made prior to the mountain of allegations. He has since been replaced as host by Grace Dent.
At this point, the BBC said 'we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year,' adding: We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants.'
The BBC pulled the Christmas specials of MasterChef late last year, which featured Wallace.Best of Deadline
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