Gregg Wallace response in full as he's sacked by BBC following 'unwanted touching' probe

Daily Record

a day ago

Gregg Wallace has issued a response after a report was published into claims of "unwanted touching"
Gregg Wallace has spoken out following the release of a report investigating misconduct allegations against him. The former MasterChef host, aged 60, had previously stated he would "not go quietly" after being dismissed from the BBC programme by its production company, Banijay.
Today, Monday, July 14, Gregg Wallace responded to the findings of the MasterChef review, stating that he "challenged" the upheld groping allegation against him, but was unsuccessful.
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The presenter maintained that "none of the serious allegations against me were upheld" despite the review finding him guilty of "unwanted touching" and three instances of being in "a state of undress".
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He also criticised the BBC for not providing sufficient support to help him change his behaviour, warning of further issues in the future.
"In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered."
The dismissed television personality described the past eight months as 'brutal' and expressed deep regret for the distress caused. Over 50 individuals came forward with allegations of misconduct against him, reports the Mirror.
Breaking his silence on the report's conclusions, Wallace's statement to the PA News Agency read in full: "For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait.
"None of the serious allegations against me were upheld, I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended.
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"I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off.
"After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier.
"A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning."
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He went on to say: "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. To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered.
"This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last."
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"There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move."
The investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin categorised the complaints into seven distinct groups. Out of the 45 complaints that were substantiated, 12 involved inappropriate remarks (jokes and innuendo), 16 pertained to sexually explicit comments, three related to states of undress, two concerned sexualised comments directed at or regarding someone, four were about cultural insensitivity or racism, seven were connected to bullying, and one involved unwanted physical contact.
On Sunday, the BBC expressed its approval of the findings from Lewis Silkin and made it clear that Gregg had been notified that "we have no plans to work with him in future".
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The broadcaster released a statement noting: "The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us.
"Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner."
The BBC also highlighted that two further allegations concerning "other individuals" associated with MasterChef required immediate attention from the production company.
"Lewis Silkin's findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals," it went on. "The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority."
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