Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has begun legal action against the BBC, filing a data protection claim in the High Court.
The move represents a new twist in the fallout from his dismissal earlier this summer, though the details of his case have not yet been disclosed.
Wallace, who co-hosted the cooking competition for 20 years, was removed from the programme after an independent investigation upheld dozens of allegations about his behaviour.
The inquiry, commissioned by production company Banijay and led by an external law firm, considered 83 separate claims.
Last year the 60-year-old confirmed he was stepping away from MasterChef amid an external review into historical allegations of sexual misconduct.
He faced accusations of making ‘inappropriate sexual jokes’ and lewd comments on set, asking for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressing in front of and standing ‘too close’ to women working on his shows.
The review upheld 45 out of 83 misconduct allegations, including one incident of unwelcome physical contact, three instances in which Wallace was said to have been in a state of undress, and multiple examples of inappropriate sexual remarks, humour and culturally insensitive comments.
When contacted for comment by Metro, the BBC responded: ‘We have not been formally notified of any legal proceedings so at this stage we are unable to comment.’
Wallace and his lawyers have previously fiercely denied the allegations, saying ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.’
What is a data protection claim?
When someone files a data protection claim in the UK, it means they are alleging that an organisation processed personal data in breach of the law.
Under UK law — specifically the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR — organisations have strict duties around how they collect, store, and disclose personal data. A claim like this could cover things such as:
- Improper handling of evidence gathered during an inquiry.
- Unlawful sharing of details from the investigation (e.g. leaking information about allegations).
- Inaccurate or excessive records being kept about someone.
- Failure to protect confidentiality of sensitive personal information.
However, he did apologise for what he described as a ‘difference in perception’ around one case of unwanted touching, while insisting that none of the most serious accusations had been upheld.
‘I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended,’ he said at the time.
The report also concluded that Wallace’s co-presenter John Torode had used an offensive racial slur, though he denied recalling the incident.
Both men were dismissed, but the BBC continued to air the most recent series of MasterChef they had already filmed.
Director General Tim Davie told MPs that the majority of contestants wanted the programme to be broadcast, though he stressed that the consequences for the presenters were ‘very significant’ given that neither remains with the corporation.
Meanwhile, the broadcaster has moved to reset one of its most popular brands, announcing earlier this week that food critic Grace Dent and chef Anna Haugh will take over hosting duties.
Dent, who has been a guest critic on the show for more than a decade, said she was thrilled to return to the kitchen and ‘unearth what culinary skills people have been cooking up behind closed doors.’
She added that ‘it’s a joy to be working with Anna, who brings all her incredible experience to the table,’ describing the new series as ‘such a treat’ she ‘can’t wait to get started.’
Haugh, who previously judged MasterChef: The Professionals in 2022, said she was ‘delighted to be back’ on the programme and ‘judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I’ve admired for years.’
She added that MasterChef has ‘long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and of course in my industry,’ and said she was eager to get into the studio for what she promised would be ‘a great competition.’
While the details of Wallace’s recent legal filing have to do with an alleged breach of data protection law, insiders previously suggested that Wallace would take action against the broadcaster on the grounds that he was allegedly discriminated against due to his autism, which he was only formally diagnosed with recently.
Metro has contacted the representatives of Gregg Wallace for comment.
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