Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Gregg Wallace made by BBC News, The Telegraph and other media outlets, Banijay UK, producers of "MasterChef" and "Eat Well for Less," commissioned leading UK law firm Lewis Silkin to investigate in December 2024.
Anyone wishing to discuss their experiences whilst working or appearing on Banijay UK produced shows was publicly encouraged to contact the investigation team in confidence via a dedicated email address which was widely communicated. Banijay UK and the BBC directed anyone with information or complaints to Lewis Silkin, who also proactively contacted a number of people who had made allegations to the press.
Over a seven-month period, the investigation heard 83 allegations against Gregg Wallace from 41 complainants – all relating to his time as a presenter on "MasterChef."
Via an extensive process of interviews (the team spoke to 78 witnesses) and analysis of relevant documentation and unedited programme footage, the investigation substantiated 45 of the allegations against Gregg Wallace. Just over half.
The team were also asked to investigate allegations against other people involved with the productions, as well as to examine the process of making a complaint whilst working on the productions and the way complaints made were handled by both the production team and the BBC. The investigation spanned the period from 2005 to 2024.
An independent investigation into allegations against Mr. Wallace concluded that 45 of the 83 claims made against him were substantiated, with 94% of the reported behavior occurring between 2005 and 2018 and only one substantiated incident after 2018, two years before Banijay acquired Endemol Shine in 2020. Most confirmed incidents involved inappropriate sexual language and humor, with a smaller number concerning other inappropriate language, being undressed, and one instance of unwanted physical contact. Additionally, 10 separate allegations concerning other individuals between 2012 and 2019 were investigated, of which two were substantiated.
The report found that six complaints had been raised with the production company and six with the BBC between 2005 and 2024, with formal actions taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017. The investigation highlighted a lack of formal training and escalation processes prior to 2016, which discouraged freelance staff from reporting misconduct due to fears about their future employment. Improvements to HR processes and training were noted after the 2016 Endemol-Shine merger and again following Banijay’s 2020 acquisition. The investigation also found that complaints during 2005–2011 were typically handled informally without proper documentation, limiting their effectiveness, and that the BBC lacked a central system for tracking concerns, often treating repeated issues as first offenses.
Whilst Banijay UK will not be providing further detail on the individual allegations, the number of sustained allegations make Gregg Wallace’s return to 'MasterChef' untenable. Details around the two substantiated complaints regarding other individuals have been referred to Banijay UK who are reviewing and will address appropriately.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: “I’d like to thank Lewis Silkin for a thorough and detailed report which is the culmination of 7 months of extensive interviews and analysis. It provides much needed clarity on issues spanning almost 20 years. Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported, and that inappropriate behaviour is quickly and professionally dealt with.
Ways of reporting concerns whilst working on our productions, protocols around behaviour and training for both cast and crew, have improved exponentially in recent years and I’m encouraged that this is acknowledged in the report. We constantly review welfare procedures across our productions to ensure that they are as robust as they can be. Banijay Entertainment already has a confidential speak up line for those wishing to raise issues, however we will be rolling out an additional externally run whistle blowing service across all our productions with immediate effect. This will not only provide additional external routes to raise issues or concerns but will also provide independent support and advice to cast and crew.
In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff. The report also highlights a reluctance by production staff to raise issues or concerns, contributing to an underreporting at that time. As a business, and as an industry reliant on freelance roles, we need to continually address how we create environments where people feel safe and supported so issues can be addressed. Banijay UK fully supports the BBC’s recently announced Respect at Work guidance.
Whilst acknowledging Mr Wallace’s autism diagnosis, which is relevant to certain behaviours identified in the report and accepting that the production could have done more to identify, manage and communicate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, the volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace’s return to 'MasterChef' untenable.
We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed.
'MasterChef' is a much-loved show which year in, year out, changes the lives and careers of contestants, amateur and professional alike. It’s made by a brilliant team of outstanding professionals, and we look forward to bringing more exceptional cooking to screens in the coming months and years.”
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