Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has formally discontinued his High Court claim against the BBC, with the broadcaster confirming he will receive no damages or costs. The legal action, which sought up to £10,000 for alleged distress and harassment, has been dropped ahead of a scheduled preliminary hearing.
Background of the Legal Dispute
Mr Wallace, 60, initiated the claim against the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited last year, alleging they failed to disclose his personal data properly. This failure, he argued, caused him significant distress and harassment. The case stemmed from a data access request he made in March 2023, seeking information related to his work, contracts, and conduct.
BBC's Defence and Response
In court documents, the BBC defended the claim robustly, denying that Mr Wallace had suffered any distress or harassment. Barrister Jason Pobjoy KC, representing the BBC and BBC Studios, stated that the claimant was not entitled to any damages. The corporation admitted that due to the complexity and scale of the request, they did not provide a substantive response within three months but later supplied the data in October 2023, along with an apology in August.
Mr Pobjoy emphasised that this voluntary disclosure demonstrated Mr Wallace had no basis for claiming damages. The BBC's stance was clear: they had complied with data protection obligations once the request was designated as complex, and any delay was justified under the circumstances.
Discontinuation of the Claim
A BBC spokesperson confirmed on Friday that Mr Wallace discontinued the claim shortly before a hearing scheduled for February 16. They stated, 'He is not receiving any payment in costs or damages from either BBC or BBC Studios.' This move cancels what could have been a protracted legal battle, bringing the matter to a swift conclusion without further court proceedings.
Allegations and Investigation
Mr Wallace was dismissed from MasterChef in July 2023 following an investigation into historical misconduct allegations. A review by law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 of 83 accusations against him, most occurring between 2005 and 2018. These included allegations of inappropriate sexual language, humour, and one instance of unwelcome physical contact.
In response, Mr Wallace issued a public apology, expressing deep regret for any distress caused and asserting he never intended to harm or humiliate anyone. His departure from the show was announced in November 2024 as the investigation unfolded, marking the end of his nearly two-decade tenure as co-presenter since 2005.
Legal Arguments and Data Issues
In the initial claim, barrister Lawrence Power argued that the BBC had wrongly redacted information and unlawfully failed to supply all of Mr Wallace's personal data. Under data protection laws, such requests should typically be processed within a month, but extensions are permitted for complex cases. The BBC cited proportionality and scale as reasons for the delay, ultimately providing the data after designating it as complex.
This discontinuation means no further legal action will be pursued, and Mr Wallace has not commented publicly on the matter. The case highlights ongoing tensions between public figures and media organisations over data handling and personal rights, set against a backdrop of misconduct allegations that have reshaped careers in the entertainment industry.
