Gregg Wallace's damning MasterChef report in full - sex slurs to state of undress

Gregg Wallace’s position on MasterChef became “untenable” after 45 out of 83 allegations of inappropriate behaviour were upheld following a seven-month investigation.

While the majority of the complaints against him were relating to sexual language and humour, a smaller number related to “being in a state of undress” - more than one woman had complained about him exposing himself while not wearing underpants.

And one allegation of “unwanted physical contact” was substantiated from among those who had complained about being groped by Wallace.

The findings come after law firm Lewis Silkin spent seven months speaking to 41 complainants who were among the total of 78 witnesses, in a bid to try and substantiate the 83 allegations made against Wallace.

Most of the complaints were relating to behaviour which happened between 2005 and 2018, which is when Wallace was given a 90-minute dressing down by former head of unscripted Kate Philips, who is now the BBC’s director of content.

The complaints were divided into seven sections which were inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, being culturally insensitive or racist, bullying and unwanted physical contact.

READ MORE: 'I saw Gregg Wallace up close - he was battling demons and I feared the worst'

Originally 13 women had come forward, sparking the review process in December 2024. BBC News has said a total of 50 women have now made complaints about Wallace - and those that were relating to MasterChef were passed onto the review team.

The report found that many of the situations which were later complained about, were brushed off at the time. “Mr Wallace was consistently described as energetic, humorous, and generally able to put contestants at ease, which contributed to the show’s success,” it said. “However, these interactions and some comments made within earshot of contestants or colleagues sometimes resulted in offence and/or left people feeling uncomfortable. Sometimes other people who were present laughed along. Occasionally these comments were called out in the moment by people who heard them, but very often they were not.”

In its findings, the report said that Wallace’s recent autism diagnosis was relevant, but not enough to keep him in his job as presenter. “Mr Wallace’s neurodiversity diagnosis is considered 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, the review states. "Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.”

Banijay CEO Patrick Holland - a former controller of BBC2 - said that the report provided “much needed clarity” on Wallace’s behaviour over a 20-year period.

On Wallace’s autism, Holland said that the presenter could not simply blame the condition and expect to keep his job. He explained: “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.”

Holland said he was comfortable that a similar situation could not arise going forwards.

“Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported, and that inappropriate behaviour is quickly and professionally dealt with,” he said.

Banijay, which bought production company Endemol Shine in 2020, said it would be rolling out “an additional externally run whistle blowing service across all our productions with immediate effect”.

He said that in the past it was clear people who wanted to make complaints felt unable to, and for that he apologised. “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.”

He said that the team in solved in making the programme were now looking forward to getting back to work, with this process firmly behind them. “MasterChef is a much-loved show which year in, year out, changes the lives and careers of contestants, amateur and professional alike. It’s made by a brilliant team of outstanding professionals, and we look forward to bringing more exceptional cooking to screens in the coming months and years.”

Lewis Silkin head of investigations Karen Baxter said she had found evidence that Wallace had moderated his behaviour after 2018, when he was spoken to by the BBC. She said: “ There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations.

Speaking ahead of the report last week, Wallace said: “I have taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins (sic) report – a decision I do not take lightly.

“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 (sic) report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.

“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”

The investigation found that, prior to 2024, there had been a total of 11 complaints made about Wallace either to the production company or to the BBC or both - despite 19 people claiming to have made a complaint.

Of these 11, three were actually observations or comments rather than a complaint, it was found.

Of the remaining eight, most were addressed informally until the BBC intervened in response to a specific allegation in 2017 - which was when Wallace attended a meeting with his agent and was warned by Kate Phillips of “the need to change his behaviour”. Report author Baxter notes: “ Mr Wallace took steps to heed that warning.”

She also noted that Wallace had been “co- operative and forthcoming” with the process, having been interviewed three times by the Investigation Team, amounting to more than 14 hours.

The investigator found that when concerns were reported to the production company, there was a tendency to address them on a case-by-case basis, which meant that it was not considered in context with any prior allegations, or against what had been observed by senior members of staff.

She found that there had been a failure to “retain records” of any action taken, particularly in the earlier years between 2005 - 2011. Workers hadn’t had the escalation process regarding complaints adequately explained to them, which would have ensured they had the opportunity to raise concerns at the time the incident occurred.

She also found that concerns had not always been flagged to the presenter, meaning that Wallace “was not necessarily aware” that his behaviour had caused offence. Even when the problems were addressed formally she found that Wallace was not always told, “Issues were still not always raised clearly and directly with Mr Wallace, to the extent that he remained unaware of some, (although not all), of these concerns."