Former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace has declared himself the victim of a "terrible injustice" as his legal battle with the BBC intensifies. The television presenter is taking the corporation to the High Court following his dismissal from the hit cooking show, which also saw co-host John Torode axed.
The Core of the Legal Dispute
Wallace is suing the BBC for access to unredacted copies of his personal data, a move his legal team believes could lead to a separate, larger claim. This potential future action is expected to focus on the broadcaster's handling of his autism diagnosis, which he received at the start of last year. Speaking about his legal team's view, Wallace stated: "They have picked it up and gone: 'this is a terrible injustice. A terrible, terrible injustice.'"
His sacking in July came after an independent investigation by Lewis Silkin upheld more than 40 allegations about his conduct on MasterChef. These included one instance of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress. However, Wallace points out that the same report concluded he was not guilty of groping, flashing, sexual harassment, or bullying.
Autism and the 'Hyped Up' Studio Environment
Wallace has explained how his recently diagnosed autism, coupled with the unique pressures of a TV studio, influenced his behaviour. He described how directors would "whip you up" to create an energetic atmosphere for the show. "They would let you loose and you are not scripted so your chances of tripping up and saying something inappropriate is really high," he said.
He argued that his neurodiversity was suspected and discussed for years but was never properly investigated or accommodated. "That failure is now being quietly buried," Wallace claimed in a previous statement. He emphasised that no complaints were made at the time of the incidents, some of which date back over a decade, and that he continued to receive more TV work.
Broader Repercussions and the BBC's Defence
The fallout from the investigation has been significant. The charity Ambitious About Autism dropped Wallace as an ambassador following the initial claims. Furthermore, autism advocate Dan Harris cautioned that while autistic people "may miss social cues sometimes," autism is "not a free pass for bad behaviour."
In his High Court claim, Wallace is seeking up to £10,000 in damages for alleged "distress and harassment" caused by the BBC's failure to provide his personal data. The corporation has firmly denied his claims. In its legal defence, barrister Jason Pobjoy KC stated: "It is denied that the claimant has suffered any distress or harassment... It is denied that the claimant is entitled to any damages."
Wallace has previously apologised, saying he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and "never set out to harm or humiliate." Co-presenter John Torode was also dismissed after an allegation of using an "extremely offensive racist term" was upheld, which he says he has no recollection of. The BBC has declined to comment on Wallace's latest statements.
