BBC TV presenter Gregg Wallace is at the centre of controversy following multiple allegations of misconduct whilst working on TV shows such as MasterChef.
Wallace, best known for hosting the renowned cooking show as well as other successes such as Inside the Factory, has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by former colleagues and collaborators over nearly two decades.
These allegations include unwanted physical contact, inappropriate comments, and unsettling incidents detailed by Shannon Kyle, the ghostwriter of his 2012 autobiography Life On A Plate.
Kyle alleges that during their collaboration, Wallace engaged in behaviors such as touching her inappropriately and creating uncomfortable situations, including answering the door in a towel, which he then dropped.
Speaking on BBC’s Newsnight, Kyle described feeling vulnerable and pressured to tolerate the behaviour due to her reliance on the job. And since then, other women have come forward, including a woman who worked alongside him on BBC show Eat Well For Less in 2015.
The woman, who would like to be known as Lisa (not her real name) told the BBC about an incident she experienced. She said, he “touched [her] inappropriately” when they were filming in a supermarket.
“He brushed past me at the checkout, and touched my bum with his waist and penis and laughed and said “oooh you liked that didn’t you”,” she said.
“It was the way he reacted, other people would’ve said ‘oh I’m sorry can I squeeze by’ which would’ve been ok.”
Lisa says that at the time, she felt like she had to “get on” with work.
“But I wasn’t ok about it. When I finished the shoot, I felt it was slimy, disgusting. He just didn’t need to touch my body, it made me uncomfortable.”
Lisa says she raised it with a more senior colleague, but nothing got done.
“In hindsight, now, I would’ve escalated it further, as a stronger independent woman in television. But when you’re working your way up, your voice isn’t heard – you don’t feel like you can take on a powerful person.”
Wallace has denied the accusations through his lawyers.
These claims form part of a broader investigation involving 13 individuals alleging misconduct by Wallace on various productions over 17 years. The fallout has led Wallace to step back from MasterChef, a role he has held for nearly two decades. The BBC has also decided to cancel two Christmas specials featuring Wallace.
Wallace’s initial response to the allegations, where he reportedly suggested they were fueled by “middle-class women of a certain age,” was met with significant backlash. Downing Street condemned the remarks as “inappropriate and misogynistic.” Wallace later issued an apology, stating he would “take time out” and cooperate with the ongoing investigations.
As investigations by production companies and the BBC continue, the allegations have sparked broader discussions about workplace conduct and accountability within the entertainment industry.
However, experts say its not just the BBC who could find themselves in legal hot water.
Elissa Thursfield, Hroes Co-Founder, said:
“Banijay, the production company behind Masterchef, could be just at the start of their legal troubles with Greg Wallace. Employees subjected to his behaviour could bring legal action against the company, as Wallace has been reported on several occasions.”
Sexual Harassment at Work – New regulations
From this year, new regulations have come into place which means that employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and create a safe working environment.
Employers now have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to anticipate when sexual harassment may occur and take reasonable steps to prevent it and if sexual harassment has taken place, an employer should take action to stop it from happening again.
This sends a clear signal to all employers that they must take reasonable preventative steps against sexual harassment, encourage cultural change where necessary, and reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment occurring.
Speaking about the new rules which came into force in October, Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Women and Equalities, said:
“This government is determined to ensure that we not only make work pay; we also make work safe. Too many people feel uncomfortable or unsafe at work due to sexual harassment and we are putting every effort into putting a stop to it.
“The preventative duty is an important step on the journey, and we will continue to improve protections for workers until everyone can thrive.”
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations. It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone.
Further reading
Bullying and harassment – Oakwood Solicitors
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Fiona Almazedi has been with Oakwood Solicitors for the last 10 years working as a consultant and taking up the position of Head of Employment on the 3rd January 2024.
Fiona has over 20 years of ex…
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