The BBC has reportedly imposed a ban on television presenter Gregg Wallace, preventing him from working with the organisation in any capacity going forward. The decision follows an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, which the broadcaster said had eroded confidence in Wallace’s ability to change his behaviour.

Wallace, aged 60, was formally dismissed as a presenter on MasterChef earlier this week, after an independent inquiry by production company Banijay. According to BBC News, the investigation examined multiple historical complaints, with over 50 individuals providing statements—many of whom alleged inappropriate sexual remarks. Eleven women specifically accused Wallace of sexual misconduct, including instances of groping and unwelcome touching.

Wallace had stepped away from his role on the long-running BBC cooking competition last year when the initial complaints began to surface.

BBC Concludes Wallace Cannot Work in a ‘Safe and Respectful Environment’
According to The Telegraph, the BBC made its decision to sever ties with Wallace ahead of the publication of the inquiry’s final report. A letter from a senior BBC television executive to Wallace, seen by the newspaper, stated:

“Given my conclusion, I do not believe that the BBC should make plans to work with you in the future on any of its productions, whether directly or indirectly.”

The letter went on to cite serious concerns regarding Wallace’s conduct:

“I have also taken into account whether your behaviour could be improved with training and/or coaching. However, having reviewed the 2025 findings, I do not have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour—for you to make what you perceive to be jokes in the working environment, without understanding the boundaries of what is appropriate.”

The letter further concluded:

“I do not have confidence that your behaviour can change to ensure there is a sufficiently safe and respectful environment for others working with you in the types of programmes the BBC has engaged you to present.”

Allegations Span Several Years and Settings
Among the more recent allegations is an incident from 2022, when a MasterChef staff member reportedly attempted to raise concerns about Wallace’s comments regarding her body. In a separate claim, a former police officer alleged he witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual remarks at a charity event in 2023 and had also attempted to report the behaviour.

Despite the controversy, the BBC allowed the most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals to continue airing last year. However, two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials were pulled from the December 2024 broadcast schedule in light of the ongoing investigation.

Wallace Responds: ‘I Will Not Be Cancelled for Convenience’
In response to the BBC’s actions, Wallace released a public statement on Instagram, insisting he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations”. He expressed his frustration over the handling of the matter:

“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.”

Wallace did, however, acknowledge that some of his humour and language had been inappropriate “at times”, offering an apology for his conduct.

A Long-Standing Television Career in Jeopardy
Before rising to fame as a presenter, Wallace worked as a greengrocer. He went on to become a household name through his work on various BBC programmes, including Inside The Factory, Supermarket Secrets, and several MasterChef spin-offs—among them Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

In response to the controversy, England’s then Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced in December 2024 that she would seek to implement new standards of conduct within the creative industries.

A BBC spokesperson commented:

“Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to conduct an investigation into the allegations against Gregg Wallace.
We will not be commenting further until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”