Gregg Wallace has reportedly been sacked from Masterchef following an inquiry into alleged misconduct, as ITV News Correspondent Martha Fairlie reports
Gregg Wallace has been “sacked” as Masterchef presenter following an inquiry into alleged misconduct allegations by production company Banijay, BBC News has reported.
It comes as 50 more people have come forward and made new claims about Wallace to the corporation, according to BBC News, including allegations he dropped his trousers in front of a junior female Masterchef worker while he was not wearing any underwear and groped another.
BBC News said it has not seen the final Banijay report, but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.
Banijay UK previously said Wallace “committed to fully cooperating” with the external review while his lawyers strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.
Earlier on Tuesday, the TV presenter claimed he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” made against him ahead of the report.
Wallace stepped away from hosting the BBC cooking show after a number of historical complaints came to light last year.
This triggered an external investigation by Banijay UK, the production company behind Masterchef.
An investigation by BBC News reported that 13 people had alleged that Wallace had made inappropriate sexual comments across a number of shows over 17 years.
In a statement on his Instagram account earlier on Tuesday, ahead of the report being published, Wallace said: “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.”
He continued: “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.”
“I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest, ” he added.
BBC spokesperson said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”
Banijay UK has declined to comment on Wallace’s comments.
ITV News has approached Wallace for comment.
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