The head of Women’s Aid has hit out at the BBC and the wider entertainment industry after a damning report upheld 45 allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Gregg Wallace, with some dating back as far as 2005.
The BBC confirmed it had cut ties with Wallace after a seven-month investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin. Banijay UK, the MasterChef production company, commissioned the investigation.
The inquiry substantiated multiple claims of inappropriate sexual language, unwelcome physical contact, and other misconduct on set. Most of this behaviour happened between 2005 and 2018.
Farah Nazeer, CEO of Women’s Aid, told The Tab that the 20-year delay in action “shows just how much still needs to be done” to protect women working in TV. She said the delay also shows that people must do much more to ensure they take complaints seriously.
Gregg Wallace via BBC
In a statement shared with The Tab, Nazeer said, “Today saw the publication of the findings of the investigation looking into reports of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ made against Gregg Wallace while on MasterChef, with over half of them being substantiated.”
She added, “It is devastating to Women’s Aid that the entertainment industry continues to fail women – both when it comes to safeguarding them, but also when it comes to investigating the claims of those who do come forward.”
Wallace, who has denied the allegations, previously said the investigation “cleared him” of the most serious claims. He also accused the BBC of “protecting others at his expense”.
But many see his response as dismissive. Baroness Helena Kennedy, a top barrister, recently warned Wallace not to suggest that all the women were lying. Similarly, Philippa Childs, Bectu’s head, said his tone “gaslighted people who have legitimate complaints.”
Women’s Aid is now urging broadcasters and production companies to put real protections in place. “Employers now have a legal duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace,” Nazeer said. “Investigations must be swift and thorough. It is only by listening to survivors and taking what they say seriously that we can work towards a society that no longer tolerates abuse.”
The BBC has apologised for “missed opportunities” and acknowledged it should have done more, sooner. It has not yet decided whether it will air the already-filmed MasterChef series that still features Wallace.
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