Gregg Wallace: A TV Career in Crisis Amid Misconduct Allegations
Gregg Wallace, the 60-year-old television personality best known for co-hosting MasterChef, has found himself at the center of a scandal involving allegations of inappropriate behavior spanning nearly two decades. The controversy has sparked public outcry and ongoing investigations by the BBC and Banijay, the production company behind MasterChef. Wallace’s defensive response on social media has further fueled criticism, casting doubt on his ability to return to the spotlight.
A Timeline of Allegations
The allegations against Wallace involve inappropriate jokes, unprofessional behavior, and what some claim was a toxic workplace environment. Complaints have surfaced from his time on multiple shows, including MasterChef, Eat Well for Less, and Impossible Celebrities.
The reported incidents include:
- Making sexual jokes and inappropriate comments.
- Asking for the phone numbers of female staff members.
- Walking around naked on set with only a sock covering his genitals.
- Standing uncomfortably close to women on set.
One of the most shocking allegations comes from Celebrity MasterChef, where Wallace allegedly told a contestant that her handling of fish “looked like a rapist doing foreplay.” This comment reportedly led to an internal complaint in 2017, but no decisive action was taken at the time.
Further claims suggest that inappropriate comments were part of a larger culture of misconduct within the productions. A former contestant described the environment as “toxic,” stating that offensive language and behavior extended beyond Wallace to other crew members.
Voices from the Industry
Several high-profile figures have come forward to share their experiences with Wallace. Journalist and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir detailed an incident in which Wallace made a sexual comment about her appearance during filming. In 2017, she filed a complaint with the BBC, expressing concerns about Wallace’s behavior. She later said, “This must not happen again to another woman.”
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp also recounted an inappropriate encounter with Wallace. She claimed that within an hour of meeting him, Wallace shared an explicit detail about his relationship, leaving her embarrassed and uncomfortable. Allsopp explained that she remained silent at the time out of a mix of shock and a reluctance to “rock the boat.”
Emma Kennedy, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2012, added another perspective. She described witnessing inappropriate behavior but clarified that she didn’t perceive Wallace as a predator. Instead, she felt his actions reflected a lack of awareness about professional boundaries. “I don’t think he did it as an act of sexual aggression,” she said. “He thought it was funny.”
Gregg Wallace’s Instagram Response
Wallace’s public reaction to the allegations has drawn widespread criticism. In a series of Instagram videos, he attempted to defend himself by downplaying the complaints and blaming “middle-class women of a certain age.”
“Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time,” Wallace said. “I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.”
Instead of addressing the accusations directly or showing accountability, Wallace’s comments were seen as dismissive and tone-deaf. Critics labeled his response as “misogynistic,” with some suggesting that his social media posts have worsened his situation.
Industry Experts Warn of Consequences
Crisis management expert Mark Borkowski was quick to highlight Wallace’s missteps. “The first law of PR in a crisis is never let your emotions rule your Instagram,” Borkowski said. “What Wallace seems to have catastrophically miscalculated is the seismic shift in workplace norms.”
Borkowski emphasized that studios are now highly sensitive to issues of workplace misconduct and that top-tier talent is expected to lead by example. He added, “What was once dismissed as harmless personality quirks now reads as tone-deaf at best and career-ending at worst.”
Production Company and BBC Investigations
In response to the growing controversy, the BBC and Banijay launched investigations into Wallace’s behavior. While the BBC stated that it has “robust processes” in place for handling complaints, questions remain about why earlier concerns were not adequately addressed.
Banijay confirmed that it had begun an external review of the allegations and stated, “Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.”
The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe workplace, adding that multiple avenues for raising concerns, including anonymously, are available to cast and crew.
Related: MasterChef's Gregg Wallace Steps Down Amid Allegations
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A Systemic Issue?
Several whistleblowers have alleged that the issues on MasterChef and other productions go beyond Wallace. One former contestant suggested that the complaints are just “the tip of the iceberg,” describing the culture on set as rife with abuse.
Another anonymous participant claimed that NDAs discouraged contestants from speaking out about their experiences. “I’ve seen too much behind the scenes to ever watch the program again,” they said.
These claims point to a broader conversation about accountability and workplace safety in the television industry.
Public Backlash and Social Media Ridicule
Wallace’s Instagram response has been widely mocked on social media. Memes and jokes flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with users criticizing his decision to attack the complainants instead of addressing the allegations.
“Whichever PR firm advised Gregg Wallace to take on ‘middle-class women of a certain age’ clearly hates him as well,” one user quipped.
Comedian David Baddiel added, “It’s not often that the internet gets behind middle-class, middle-aged women these days, but thanks to Gregg Wallace for making it happen.”
Related: Gregg Wallace: Shocking Career Secrets, Family Life & Net Worth
The Future of Gregg Wallace’s Career
With investigations ongoing and his reputation in tatters, Wallace’s future in television hangs in the balance. Industry experts believe his inability to navigate the crisis effectively may cost him his career.
The allegations against Wallace reflect a significant shift in the entertainment industry, where inappropriate behavior is increasingly called out and scrutinized. Whether Wallace can recover remains to be seen, but for now, his actions—and reactions—have placed him at the center of a cultural reckoning.
