Report Confirms 45 Allegations Against MasterChef TV Presenter

A report into BBC show MasterChef has found 45 allegations against Gregg Wallace were upheld including one of unwelcome physical contact and another three of being in a state of undress. In total, the report says 83 allegations were made against the TV presenter, with the majority of the substantiated claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive and racist comments.

The inquiry, conducted by an independent law firm, was ordered by MasterChef's production company Banijay in the wake of a BBC News investigation which first revealed claims of inappropriate sexual comments against Wallace. Ahead of the report's release, Wallace insisted it had cleared him of 'the most serious and sensational allegations'.

Last week, it emerged that he had been sacked as presenter of the cooking show, as dozens more people came forward to BBC News with fresh claims against him. The 50 people who came forward to BBC News said they encountered Wallace across a range of shows and settings. Around 20 were on Banijay productions, but others related to areas like night clubs, awards ceremonies and other TV shows. Some of the individuals we heard from also contributed to the Banijay inquiry.

That inquiry also says that 10 standalone allegations were made against other people, two of which were substantiated. Both of those substantiated allegations, which did not involve Wallace, relate to inappropriate language, one of swearing and one of racist language. A decision has not yet been made about unseen series of MasterChef which was filmed last year.

The report also says that during the course of the investigation, Wallace was diagnosed with autism, writing: 'The findings made should be viewed in the context of his neurodiversity.' But it adds: 'Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.' Last week, Wallace faced a backlash from autism charities and other organisations working with disabled people after he appeared to link the claims of misconduct against him with his recent autism diagnosis.

'Extremely sorry'

According to the source: BBC.