THE BBC has said it will "never work" with Gregg Wallace again as a bombshell report revealed a "substantial" number of allegations across 19 years.
The MasterChef star, 60, was fired by BBC over doubts he could "change his behaviour".
Last year a BBC News investigation revealed a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and alleged inappropriate behaviour against Gregg.
These were made by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period, including former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark.
Now the findings of a long investigation into historic complaints were unveiled today in a report.
A total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Gregg during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of "unwelcome physical contact".
The Beeb said it takes the "findings very seriously" and will prioritise addressing "two further allegations" upheld relating to "other individuals".
The corporation also said the possibility of Gregg returning to MasterChef was "untenable".
A "final decision" on whether the latest season of the show will be aired will "not be made at this stage", the BBC added.
The full statement read: "We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace.
"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.
What did the report find?
FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated.
An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace.
The report substantiated:
– Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo;
– Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments;
– Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone;
– Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments;
– Three claims that he was in a state of undress;
– Seven allegations of bullying;
– One allegation of unwanted touching.
The allegations span from 2005 to 2024.
"We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year.
"We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace's behaviour.
"Lewis Silkin's findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals.
"The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority.
"The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production.
"At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year.
"We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants.
"In April the BBC published a detailed response to an independent review of workplace culture, which reinforces expectations around behaviour and that we will act more decisively when standards are not met.
"This also requires all TV production partners to align with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) standards.
Claims we've previously reported about Gregg
THE report upheld 45 out of the 83 complaints made. Here we take a look at the allegations made against the TV star:
– November 28, 2024
Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News.
The TV star steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show's production company, announces it is conducting an external review to "fully and impartially investigate" the claims against him.
BBC News says allegations include the presenter "talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans".
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, says he told "sexualised" jokes during filming.
Model Ulrika Jonsson tells The Telegraph that when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, Wallace allegedly had to apologise after making a "rape joke", which caused another female contestant to become "really distressed".
Sir Rod Stewart takes to Instagram following the accusations, accusing Wallace of "humiliating" his wife Penny Lancaster on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.
Producer and director Dawn Elrick posts a letter on Instagram which includes a number of anonymous accounts from people who allege they "have experienced sexism and sexual harassment within the TV industry". She claims the letter, which accuses Wallace of making lewd comments, was sent to the BBC in 2022.
The TV star's lawyers say "it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature", BBC News reports.
Wallace thanks his Instagram followers for "showing their support".
– November 29, 2024
Wallace faces a string of new allegations with one woman, who worked on a travel show with him, accusing him of making "lesbian jokes constantly", as reported by BBC News.
The charity Ambitious About Autism says it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the "recent allegations".
– November 30, 2024
The Sunday Telegraph reports producer Georgia Harding, who worked on MasterChef between 2014 and 2015 and later Eat Well For Less, claimed she raised concerns about "inappropriate" behaviour from him while working on the show.
Banijay UK confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour.
– December 1, 2024
Wallace says in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from "middle-class women of a certain age".
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp tells BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend that she was "so embarrassed" she thought she "might cry" after Wallace allegedly made a comment to her about his sex life.
Celebrity MasterChef 2012 champion Emma Kennedy tells Times Radio the former greengrocer "just doesn't understand that some behaviour is completely inappropriate".
– December 2, 2024
Downing Street says Wallace's response to the accusations being made against him was "inappropriate and misogynistic".
A spokesperson also says that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Following the backlash, Wallace apologises for any "offence" or "upset" he caused with his remarks and said he will now "take some time out" while the investigation is under way.
– December 3, 2024
Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials are pulled from the BBC's schedule.
Wallace faces fresh allegations with one woman claiming he touched her bottom after an event and another alleging he pressed his crotch against her while filming on a different show, according to BBC News.
– December 4, 2024
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says politicians should be ready to put in place "mechanisms" that would instil "confidence" that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about "women of a certain age", reflecting comments Wallace apologised for.
MasterChef presenter John Torode says in a social media post that he "loves being part of" the programme and "will continue to be a part of it" after Wallace stepped back from the show.
A ghostwriter claims Wallace sexually harassed her while she was working on his 2012 autobiography.
– December 10, 2024
Ms Nandy says she is "prepared to take further action" if the creative industries cannot address "cultures of silence and issues being swept under the rug" in relation to claims of misconduct while appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee.
– April 25, 2025
Wallace tells the Daily Mail he "thought about suicide all the time" after allegations of misconduct were made against him.
– July 8, 2025
Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay, BBC News reports.
Fresh claims about the TV presenter are made from 50 more people to the corporation including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker and pulled his trousers down in front of another, BBC News says.
The majority claim he made inappropriate sexual comments, with 11 women accusing him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching.
BBC News says it has not seen the final review from Banijay, but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.
In an Instagram post the former greengrocer claims he had been cleared of the "most serious and sensational accusations" against him, ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognises that some of his humour and language was inappropriate "at times" and apologised for this.
It is not known which of these complaints – if any – were upheld.
"We want to reaffirm, there is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behaviour or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC."
Gregg angrily slammed the BBC in his Instagram post on Monday, promising "not to go quietly".
The corporation have been keen to distance themselves from the presenter, saying he was not technically an employee.
A source said: "Gregg received his letter telling him his Masterchef job was gone and that, effectively, his 21 year tenure at the BBC is also over.
"He's obviously in a pretty bad way, and hasn't been sleeping at all these past few days.
"But he's also incredibly angry, and feels his autism has been used against him – production company are basically saying he is incapable of change.
"'Learned behaviour' – presumably from his years down the markets as a greengrocer – was given as a main factor for his inappropriate actions and language.
"But given that a different production first raised concerns about his neurodivergence in 2018, and the word 'odd' also appears through the 200 page report against him, he feels his autism is being used against him.
"The report states the company has a duty of care towards both him and the public – as well as contributors and crew – and that it is clear he 'struggles to distinguish the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.'
"They therefore say they cannot guarantee a safe working environment if he is on a show.
"He is really angry the complaints against him came before he was put on a course in 2019.
"He therefore feels they are discriminating against his autism; that effectively they cannot accommodate a disabled person."
There has been a massive backlash from the appalled public, slamming the fallen star as being "completely offensive" for using autism as an excuse for his behaviour.
Others told him "how dare you" and said "it's an insult".
The Times reported Gregg's friends as saying his autism means he can't wear underwear.
Charities have also blasted the axed star, telling him it is not a "free pass for bad behaviour".
The Sun revealed Gregg's clinical team proposed clear accommodations, shared directly with the BBC, outlining how a supportive environment could be achieved.
He believes the BBC have chosen to ignore this.
The star has taken on bullish lawyer Dan Morrison – the man who represented Nigel Farage against NatWest.
He could now take Banijay and the BBC to tribunal.
Gregg has hosted Masterchef alongside John Torode since 2005 and has also fronted other BBC programmes including Inside the Factory and Supermarket Secrets.
In late 2024, it was reported that the BBC had been made aware of complaints as far back as 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel "uncomfortable" in his presence.
However, he has been cleared of a number of the most serious allegations, including those against high profile complainants including Kirsty Wark and Penny Lancaster.
It comes after The Sun revealed the disgraced star called co-stars "sexy" 135 times on social media.
Not only this, but he called a former MasterChef winner and a BBC presenter a "sexy b***h" – with the post yet to be removed.
He called 2012 MasterChef winner Shelina Permalloo a "sexy b***h" and "sexy girl".
In one exchange, he said: "Hello mate, how you doing? Sexy b***h!"
He also called former BBC Breakfast presenter Penny Haslam, whom he knows from them both being ambassadors for WeightWatchers, a "sexy b***h".
In total, on his X page, Gregg calls people – men and women – "sexy" over 135 times.
This includes MasterChef finalist Angela Langford, MasterChef judge Monica Galetti, and interior designer Kelly Hoppen.
As well as This Morning's Alison Hammond, Bake Off's Paul Hollywood and former Page 3 model Linda Lusardi, whom he also called a "sexy girl".
John Torode is constantly called "sexy" – and his wife Lisa Faulkner "hot point" and "pretty".
Gregg has always claimed his behaviour isn't harassment, yet ex-Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir publicly called him out for saying "sexy b***h" to her face.
The TV host claims he was cleared of all the serious allegations in the BBC probe, including accusations of groping.
The BBC later said 50 more people had approached the broadcaster with fresh claims about the MasterChef star, including allegations of sexual misconduct.
Wallace denies the claims.
With Gregg's sacking from the BBC revealed this week, he released a statement online.
He wrote: "After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.
"I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.
"I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate.
"For that, I apologise without reservation."
He claims that the stress led to him being taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack after two days of agonising chest pains.
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