Gregg Wallace: MasterChef Allegations Upheld! What Happened?
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The fallout continues for Gregg Wallace, the former MasterChef host, as a report into his conduct on the show has substantiated numerous allegations against him. A staggering 45 allegations were upheld out of a total of 83, painting a concerning picture of his behaviour during his time on the popular cooking programme.
Details of the Allegations
The investigation, conducted by an independent law firm and commissioned by MasterChef's production company Banijay, revealed a range of inappropriate behaviours. The substantiated claims included:
- Inappropriate jokes and innuendo
- Sexually explicit comments
- Sexualized comments directed at or about individuals
- Culturally insensitive or racist remarks
- Being in a state of undress
- Bullying
- Unwanted touching
Most of these allegations relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2005 and 2018, with only one substantiated claim occurring after 2018.
Wallace's Response and Autism Diagnosis
Ahead of the report's release, Wallace maintained that it had cleared him of the most serious allegations. However, the findings led to his dismissal from MasterChef. Adding another layer to the situation, Wallace has recently been diagnosed with autism. He acknowledged that this diagnosis might explain some of his actions, but stated he doesn't want to use it as an excuse.
Backlash and Legal Action
Wallace's attempts to link his behaviour to his autism diagnosis have drawn criticism from autism charities and disability advocacy groups, who emphasize that autism is not a justification for inappropriate conduct. Reports also suggest that Wallace is considering legal action against the BBC and MasterChef producers, alleging discrimination based on his autism diagnosis.
The future of the unaired series of MasterChef, filmed last year with Wallace, remains uncertain. Downing Street has welcomed the BBC's decision to sever ties with Wallace, emphasizing the need for measures to prevent future abuses of power.