Gregg Wallace, the former host of MasterChef, has initiated legal proceedings against the BBC. He has filed a lawsuit with the High Court alleging a breach of data protection by the broadcasting corporation.
This legal action follows Wallace’s dismissal from MasterChef a few months ago, following an investigation that upheld 40 allegations of misconduct against him. The 60-year-old, who co-hosted the show with John Torode for 21 years, was let go due to inappropriate conduct.
An inquiry conducted by Banijay UK earlier this year found that 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated. The complaints primarily involved instances of sexual language and humor, with a few cases involving nudity and unwanted physical contact.
Although Wallace acknowledged that his behavior on the show was inappropriate, he maintained that the allegations against him were unfounded and exaggerated. He expressed his determination not to succumb quietly to the accusations.
Reports suggest that Wallace is seeking access to confidential documents to refute the claims against him. The BBC has stated that they have not received any formal notification of legal action and therefore cannot comment at this time.
In a related development, Wallace’s co-presenter, John Torode, was also dismissed following the investigation, which revealed his use of an offensive racial term. Torode has stated that he does not recall the incident.
Recently, BBC Director General Tim Davie defended the decision to continue airing the current series of MasterChef, featuring Wallace and Torode, to the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media, and Sport Committee. Davie emphasized that the majority of the chefs participating in the show supported its broadcast despite the controversy surrounding the hosts.
Davie acknowledged the significant repercussions for Wallace and Torode, who are no longer associated with the BBC. He highlighted the audience’s freedom to choose whether to watch the show, emphasizing the importance of trust between the broadcaster and its viewers.