A formal investigation into Gregg Wallace’s conduct has upheld 45 claims made against the former BBC presenter, including multiple instances of inappropriate sexual remarks and one report of unwanted physical contact. In total, 83 allegations were reviewed, with more than half deemed credible by investigators. The inquiry, which took place across seven months, centred on Wallace’s time working on MasterChef and confirmed that most of the verified complaints involved inappropriate language and humour. The report also noted that a “smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated”.

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In response to the findings, both the BBC and production company Banijay concluded that Wallace could not return to MasterChef, despite his recent autism diagnosis. Wallace has admitted to using inappropriate language but maintained that he had been cleared of “the most serious and sensational accusations made against me”. The BBC confirmed he would no longer appear on any of its programmes and acknowledged that “opportunities were missed” to address his behaviour sooner.

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The investigation was commissioned by Banijay last year following reports from BBC News that 13 individuals had raised concerns over a 17-year period. As a result, Wallace stepped back from his role on the show. Testimony was gathered from 78 individuals, including 41 complainants, and all findings were specific to MasterChef. Investigators determined that the “vast majority” of the allegations (94%) dated from 2005 to 2018.

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Beyond the claims against Wallace, 10 other complaints were raised about other people. Of these, two were substantiated, one involving racist language and another concerning swearing. Between 2005 and 2023, a total of 11 complaints or concerns about Wallace’s behaviour were formally raised with Banijay or the BBC, though most were handled informally. According to the report, “The production company undertook an investigation into an allegation in 2015 and understood the complainant was happy with the outcome.” In 2017, the BBC addressed a separate complaint, after which “Mr Wallace was warned of the need to change his behaviour. Mr Wallace took steps to heed that warning.” Karen Baxter, who led the investigation at Lewis Silkin, stated that Wallace was “cooperative and forthcoming,” having participated in three interviews lasting over 14 hours. The investigation was based on the civil standard of proof, “on the balance of probabilities”, rather than the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The report noted Wallace’s neurodiversity diagnosis was “highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a ‘masking’ technique and his difficulty in reading social cues. Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.” It also described Wallace as someone who was “consistently described as energetic, humorous, and generally able to put contestants at ease, which contributed to the show’s success,” but added that his behaviour “sometimes resulted in offence and/or left people feeling uncomfortable.” While some around him laughed at his comments, they were “very often” left unchallenged.

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Investigators found that a “substantially improved welfare system” is now in place, including processes during and after production to flag concerns. However, issues previously raised with Banijay were not always shared directly with Wallace, “to the extent that he remained unaware of some, although not all, of these concerns until the allegation arose in the press”. One formal complaint addressed within the BBC was not fully shared within the organisation. “As a result, the … complaint was addressed as a ‘first offence’, albeit that prompt action was taken,” the report said. “At the time, the BBC made clear to Mr Wallace that this was a significant issue and that there was an expectation that his behaviour needed to be modified.”

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The BBC stated: “In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace’s return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future. The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.

“Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.”

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With Wallace no longer working with the BBC, director general Tim Davie must now decide whether to broadcast the new MasterChef series, most of which was filmed before Wallace stepped aside. He was only replaced ahead of the finale, and a decision on the series’ future is still pending. Banijay and the BBC hope that by releasing the report’s executive summary, the matter can be resolved. However, Wallace has stated he will “not go quietly” and criticised the fact that the full 200-page report has not been published. He argued that “others who have been found guilty of serious allegations have been erased from the published version of events,” though he did not name anyone.

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Wallace also confirmed his autism diagnosis, noting that his neurodiversity had been discussed throughout “countless seasons of Masterchef”, yet he received no protections. A supporter of Wallace later said he experiences “autistic hypersensitivity”, which causes an “oddity of filters and boundaries” and intense sensory issues, citing this as a reason for being unable to wear underwear. Patrick Holland, Banijay UK’s chief executive, said: “Whilst acknowledging Mr Wallace’s autism diagnosis, which is relevant to certain behaviours identified in the report and accepting that the production could have done more to identify, manage and communicate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, the volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace’s return to MasterChef untenable.

“We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed.”

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