Gregg Wallace has been hit with 50 new allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims he pulled his trousers down in front of a MasterChef worker and groped another, according to the BBC. The former presenter, who was fired after a nine-month investigation, has launched a blistering rant against the corporation, denying the accusations.
The fresh claims come from people who encountered Wallace across various shows, with the majority alleging inappropriate sexual comments. Eleven women have accused him of groping and touching. One woman described his behaviour as 'disgusting and predatory', saying he pulled his trousers down in a dressing room. Another said she was left 'absolutely horrified' when he groped her.
One participant on Saturday Kitchen claimed that during filming in 2002, Wallace put his hand under the table and onto her groin, asking: 'Do you like that?' A university student said he put his hand under her skirt and pinched her bottom when taking a photo at a nightclub. A woman at an industry ball in 2014 alleged he groped her under her dress, while a junior worker said he dropped his trousers without underwear in front of her in 2012.
Several men claim they witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments. Among the recent allegations, a 19-year-old MasterChef worker said she tried to raise concerns in 2022 about his comments on her body. A former policeman said he also attempted to complain about Wallace's sexually inappropriate language in 2023. The BBC reports most women who came forward are young freelancers who feared negative career repercussions.
Wallace, 60, who stepped down from MasterChef while complaints from 13 women were investigated, took to Instagram to defend himself. He said he had been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations', including those from public figures, and acknowledged that 'some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate'. He accused the BBC of failing to investigate his autism diagnosis or protect him from what he called 'a dangerous environment'.
An inquiry by independent law firm Silkins on behalf of production company Banijay is expected back imminently. A source said Wallace was cleared of the most high-profile allegations from Penny Lancaster and Kirsty Wark, but the BBC has made it clear there is no way back for him. Wallace vowed 'I will not go quietly', criticising the BBC's plan to release only an executive summary of the full 200-page report.
