MasterChef scandal timeline: Where did it all go wrong for the BBC show?

Metro

7 days ago

Over the course of nine months, the present and future of MasterChef has changed dramatically.
Ever since reports emerged last autumn of misconduct allegations against presenter Gregg Wallace, the hit BBC show has been rocked by scandal and uncertainty.
From historic claims to the TV star's 'middle-class women of a certain age' comment, a lost has happened over the past few months.
Just a week ago, things took another turn when it was revealed his longtime co-star John Torode's contract isn't being renewed, with new presenters set to step in.
Here's how we got to where we are today…
Last autumn, Gregg Wallace was accused of making 'inappropriate sexual comments' while working on BBC game show Impossible Celebrities in 2018.
He was also accused of being rude and insulting to women on another programme in 2023.
At the time, he said on social media that the claims had been investigated by the BBC six years earlier, and that 'the outcome of that was that [he] hadn't said anything sexual'.
The following month, further allegations emerged around various incidents on the MasterChef set, including claims he appeared almost 'completely naked'.
At the time, he was announced he would be stepping away from the show as producer Banijay started an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct.
This included one former production member who made a formal complaint about an incident from other a decade ago, claiming he held her head and thrust his body towards her, mimicking a sex act, while she knelt to clean a mark his trousers.
He was also accused of sexual harassment on MasterChef, and allegations he was 'fascinated' by an unnamed woman on a separate travel show who happened to be a lesbian.
The allegations were made by 13 people who worked with him over a variety of shows over 17 years.
The BBC said that they take any complaints 'seriously' and that they 'have robust processes in place' for such situations, while Wallace's lawyers claimed it is 'entirely false' that he engages in a 'behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'.
Around the same time, in response to the reports, Sir Rod Stewart slammed Gregg and accused him of 'humiliating' his wife Penny Lancaster on the celebrity edition of MasterChef.
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In December 2024, Gregg Wallace made his now-infamous statement hitting back at 'middle-class women of a certain age'.
He said: 'I've been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, different backgrounds, all walks of life.
'Apparently now, I'm reading in the paper, there's been 13 complaints in that time.
'In the newspaper, I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn't right.'
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His statement was met with fierce backlash, and Wallace quickly apologised for his initial Instagram video.
'I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people,' he said.
'I wasn't in a good head space when I posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege when I posted it.'
With the investigation underway, the BBC confirmed it was pulling the planned Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off special.
A spokesperson said at the time: 'As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
'The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.'
Days later, Wallace had reportedly told friends he 'has lost everything' amid the investigation, according to The Sun.
That same month, it was revealed Grace Dent would replace Wallace on the next edition of Celebrity MaterChef.
'I've been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it,' said the author and podcaster, who has been a guest on MasterChef in the past.
She added: 'It's all about uncovering and championing talent – and to have ended up in this position, is more than a dream to me.
'I'm so excited that I can't eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef.'
Wallace's co-star John Torode added: 'I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges.'
In an interview with the Daily Mail published in April, Wallace said he believed it might be 'better' for his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini if he 'wasn't here'.
After the interview was published, the 60-year-old TV presenter shared more thoughts on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: 'I've said everything I needed to say in the interview with the Mail and meant every word. It was hard to do, but speaking honestly for myself, my family, and especially my mum, felt right.
'Right now, I don't want to add anything more. I've opened my heart, and that has to be enough.
'There will be a lot of noise, I get that, but I won't be joining in. I need space to heal and to be with the people who know who I really am.'
Earlier this month, it was reported Wallace was planning legal action against the BBC and the MasterChef production team, claiming he faced discrimination due to his autism.
It was revealed that 50 more people had approached the corporation with claims against him.
'Gregg is guilty of bad jokes and rough humour,' a source told The Telegraph. 'But so many people on the show talked openly about suspecting that he had autism for years before he got his diagnosis.'
Days later, the findings of the investigation were revealed as 45 out of the 83 allegations against him were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Wallace said he was 'deeply sorry for any distress' his behaviour caused, adding that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone.
He continued: 'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning.
'Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them. But in the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake.'
Days after the findings were announced, it was reported John Torode had been sacked from MasterChef.
There had been reports he was accused of using racist language, and the BBC and Banijay UK confirmed his contract will not be renewed.
Torode took to social media and wrote: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of.'
A Banijay spokesperson said: 'In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously.
'The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018.'
And a BBC spokesperson added: 'The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously.
'We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.'
Over the weekend, it was reported that Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt is set to join MasterChef. More Trending
According to The Sun, he will be joined by Great British Menu chef Andi Oliver.
A source said: 'Matt is seen as a really safe pair of hands by the BBC. He has been in the frame for some time and is now being lined up for MasterChef.
View More »
'The BBC are keen to bring Andi Oliver on board too. She has been so popular as host of the Great British Menu.'
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