Gregg Wallace, the former host of BBC's MasterChef, has issued a lengthy public apology following his dismissal from the show after a misconduct investigation. The 61-year-old presenter was dropped by the corporation after a report upheld more than 40 allegations concerning his behaviour during filming.
A Public Mea Culpa on Substack
In a detailed 1,000-word post on Substack, Wallace confessed he had been "stupid, defensive, and arrogant" in his initial response to the allegations. He specifically apologised for previously blaming the complaints on "middle-class women of a certain age," calling the remark hurtful and wrong.
"I felt like I was being backed into a corner, and I lashed out. There's no excuse for it," Wallace wrote. He admitted he failed to listen and reflect, stating he has since learned that "when you're under fire, the first thing you should do is listen, not talk."
The 'Cheeky Greengrocer' Persona and Changing Times
Wallace described adopting a loud, cheeky persona for what he perceived as a "boisterous workplace environment" full of bawdy humour. He insisted the innuendo-laden jokes on the MasterChef set were "no worse" than those on shows like The Great British Bake Off or The 1% Club.
"Food is full of innuendo. Spotted dick, nuts, the rim of a glass, little tarts… We leaned into it," he explained, claiming he was part of an ensemble culture where such jokes were encouraged by production to generate energy.
However, Wallace said the rules seemed to change in 2018 when he received a formal warning for inappropriate language on another show. "Suddenly, the very thing I'd been rewarded for across five TV shows was a problem," he wrote, expressing confusion over why he was singled out.
Addressing the Specific Allegations and Aftermath
The BBC's seven-month investigation upheld 45 complaints, including the use of inappropriate sexual language, "being in a state of undress," and one instance of unwelcome physical contact 17 years ago.
Wallace addressed these directly, stating the 'state of undress' incidents involved someone entering his dressing room while he was changing and him lifting his t-shirt to show his six-pack. He described the physical contact as having his arm around a woman with his hand on her bum at a party, which he believed was consensual.
"I am sorry for the upset I caused," Wallace stated. "It was never, ever my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable." He acknowledged it would be hard for contestants to complain if management was laughing along.
Since his dismissal, Wallace has attempted to reinvent himself as a personal trainer on TikTok. He is also suing the BBC for £10,000 in damages, alleging distress over withheld documents related to the investigation, a claim the BBC is contesting.
The controversy extended to his former co-presenter, John Torode, who was also pulled from the BBC show weeks later following an allegation he used "extremely offensive racist language in 2018," which he denies recalling.
Wallace, who received an autism diagnosis in 2025, has suggested the BBC failed to support his neurodiversity, a claim challenged by charities who reject linking his behaviour to his condition.
