MasterChef report upholds 45 claims towards TV presenter

A report into BBC present MasterChef has discovered 45 allegations towards Gregg Wallace have been upheld together with one among unwelcome bodily contact and one other three of being in a state of undress.

In complete, the report says 83 allegations have been made towards the TV presenter, with the vast majority of the substantiated claims referring to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but additionally culturally insensitive or racist feedback.

The inquiry, carried out by an unbiased regulation agency, was ordered by MasterChef’s manufacturing firm Banijay within the wake of a BBC Information investigation which first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual feedback towards Wallace.

Forward of the report’s launch, Wallace insisted it had cleared him of “essentially the most critical and sensational allegations”.

A call has not but been made in regards to the new collection of MasterChef which was filmed final yr, with Wallace in it.

Downing Avenue mentioned it welcomed the very fact the BBC had “severed ties” with Wallace.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman added: “We’re clear that applicable steps have to be taken to make sure abuses of energy are prevented from occurring sooner or later.”

Monday’s report revealed allegations towards Wallace throughout a 19-year interval.

It additionally says that 10 standalone allegations have been made towards different folks, two of which have been substantiated.

Each of these substantiated allegations , which didn’t contain Wallace, relate to inappropriate language, one among swearing and one among racist language.

The report additionally says that throughout the course of the investigation, Wallace was recognized with autism, writing: “The findings made needs to be considered within the context of his neurodiversity.”

Nevertheless it provides: “Mr Wallace accepts that his analysis could assist to clarify a few of his actions, however he doesn’t want to disguise behind it.”

Final week, Wallace confronted a backlash from autism charities and different organisations working with disabled folks after he appeared to hyperlink the claims of misconduct towards him together with his latest autism analysis.

The investigation staff discovered proof that between 2005 and 2024, six complaints have been raised with the manufacturing firm and 6 with the BBC.

Patrick Holland, chief govt of Banijay UK, mentioned in earlier years, “it’s clear that escalation procedures weren’t as strong as they need to have been”.

“We’re extraordinarily sorry to anybody who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to talk up on the time or that their grievance was not adequately addressed,” he added.

A BBC assertion mentioned: “Though the complete extent of those points weren’t recognized on the related time, alternatives have been missed to deal with this behaviour – each by the manufacturing corporations operating MasterChef and the BBC.

“We settle for extra might and may have been executed sooner.”

The BBC mentioned it apologised to “everybody who has been impacted by Mr Wallace’s behaviour”, and confirmed it has no plans to work with the presenter in future.

Gregg Wallace has been contacted for remark.

One of many former MasterChef employees who got here ahead to us, who accused Wallace of dropping his trousers in entrance of her, mentioned she felt “relieved” by the result of the inquiry.

“I am actually happy specifically that a few of the extra critical claims have been upheld, and motion has been taken,” she mentioned.

One other, who claims he made inappropriate sexual feedback, known as it “an ideal consequence, and it fully invalidates him saying that he’d been cleared of a lot of the allegations”.

She added that she was “shocked” on the variety of allegations.

“I actually assume there’s lots of people at Banijay and the BBC who knew precisely what was occurring and did nothing, who needs to be resigning.”

A former MasterChef contestant, who additionally accused Wallace of inappropriate sexual remarks and innuendoes, mentioned she was glad the report had given credence to the complaints made.

She added that she hoped extra ladies and women would now have the arrogance to talk up about misconduct.

Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned the allegations towards Wallace have been “horrendous and appalling”.

“This case highlights a wider situation and rather more have to be executed to make sure that everybody working within the artistic industries is handled with dignity, equity, and respect,” she mentioned.

Philippa Childs, head of artistic industries union Bectu, mentioned the report exhibits how “inappropriate behaviour has gone unchecked for a lot too lengthy” within the trade.

“It is a actual failure by Banijay to take these points significantly and act accordingly,” she mentioned.

Childs confused how “susceptible” freelancers really feel when “experiencing or witnessing poor behaviour” by folks in “positions of energy and affect.”

Employers, she continued, have “an obligation to stamp out dangerous behaviour and assist their workforces when points are raised.”

She added: “Misogyny, intimidation, ageism and sexual harassment should not have any place in fashionable workplaces. But they proceed to plague our artistic industries, propped up by insufficient reporting mechanisms, an absence of accountability and an trade that allows excessive energy dynamics and ‘untouchable’ expertise.”

Final November, a BBC Information investigation heard from 13 individuals who made claims of inappropriate sexual feedback towards Gregg Wallace.

Final week, it emerged that Wallace had been sacked as presenter of the cooking present, as dozens extra folks got here ahead to BBC Information with recent claims of inappropriate language, touching and groping.

The 50 individuals who got here ahead to BBC Information mentioned they encountered Wallace throughout a spread of exhibits and settings.

Round 20 have been on Banijay productions, however others associated to areas like evening golf equipment, awards ceremonies and different TV exhibits. A number of the people we heard from additionally contributed to the Banijay inquiry.

BBC Information is editorially unbiased of the broader company.