For over two decades, Gregg Wallace was a familiar face on British television, guiding amateur cooks through the pressure-cooker world of MasterChef. But now, the 60-year-old presenter is at the center of a high-profile legal battle with the BBC, following his abrupt dismissal from the beloved cooking competition after a misconduct scandal erupted. As details of the case emerge, the story has become a flashpoint for debates about workplace conduct, disability discrimination, and the responsibilities of broadcasters in handling such controversies.
Wallace’s legal action, filed at the High Court in London under the Media and Communications list, centers on alleged data protection breaches by the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited. According to Deadline, the suit comes after Wallace’s firing from MasterChef in the wake of an independent investigation that substantiated nearly 50 allegations against him. Most of these complaints, as detailed in a Banijay-commissioned report by Lewis Silkin, focused on inappropriate sexual language and humor, with a handful relating to inappropriate language, being in a state of undress, and one incident of unwelcome physical contact.
Wallace, who had co-hosted MasterChef for 21 years alongside John Torode, has publicly acknowledged using “inappropriate language” between 2005 and 2018. However, he has consistently denied the more serious allegations, characterizing some of the claims as “baseless and sensationalised.” In a defiant social media post quoted by The Mirror, Wallace stated: “I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience.”
His legal strategy appears to be two-pronged. First, as reported by The Sun and The Independent, Wallace is seeking the release of hundreds of pages of confidential BBC documents—over 200, by some accounts—which he believes could help clear his name. Second, the presenter may pursue a disability discrimination claim, arguing that the BBC failed to properly accommodate his autism. Neurodiversity specialists have reportedly told Wallace that he struggles with social boundaries, a factor he suggests was not sufficiently considered during the investigation into his conduct.
Represented by barrister Lawrence Power of Whitestone Chambers, Wallace is no longer working with his previous legal adviser, Dan Morrison of Grosvenor Law. Despite the mounting legal drama, the BBC has maintained a cautious public stance. “We have not been formally notified of any legal proceedings so at this stage we are unable to comment,” a spokesperson told BBC News as recently as September 10, 2025.
The fallout from the scandal has not been limited to Wallace alone. His long-time co-presenter, John Torode, was also dismissed from MasterChef after an investigation revealed he had used a deeply offensive racist slur. Torode has claimed he has “no recollection” of the incident and expressed shock and sadness at the findings, according to The Independent and The Mirror.
Despite the controversy swirling around its two main presenters, the BBC made the contentious decision to broadcast the final pre-recorded series featuring Wallace and Torode. BBC director general Tim Davie defended the move before the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, explaining that “the vast majority” of chefs featured on the show wanted it to be aired. “I think it was on judgment the right thing to do, but I understand that you could see both sides of the argument very clearly,” Davie told MPs, as reported by BBC News. “The consequences for the individuals who presented MasterChef have been very significant, they’re no longer working with the BBC, so there are those consequences. The other thing in my mind is people can choose to watch it or not, so there’s an element of trust in the audience.”
The airing of the final series was not without its own complications. Some contestants, including Sarah Shafi, requested to be edited out of the episodes, while MasterChef champions Thomas Frake and Irini Tzortzoglou publicly supported the decision to broadcast the show. Tzortzoglou, who won in 2019, told The Independent: “If I had gone through all that – the highs and lows – then somebody said to me, ‘Well actually, we may not show the three months of your life when you spilled your blood and guts to see how far you could go,’ I’d be very unhappy. I’m very thrilled to see it on our screens.”
However, viewers seemed less enthusiastic. The first episode of the new series, featuring Wallace and Torode, reportedly lost almost one million viewers compared to last year’s launch, a sign that the controversy may have dented the show’s appeal.
Amid all this, the BBC has moved swiftly to reshape its flagship culinary program. On September 8, 2025, the corporation confirmed that Grace Dent and Anna Haugh will take over as hosts of MasterChef, while Matt Tebbutt will step in for Wallace on MasterChef: The Professionals alongside long-time judges Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing.
Wallace’s legal action, especially his focus on data protection, adds a new layer of complexity to the case. According to court documents cited by ITV News and BBC News, the claim centers on how the BBC handled sensitive information during the misconduct investigation. While the specifics remain confidential for now, the case could have broader implications for how media organizations manage internal probes and the privacy rights of those involved.
There’s also the matter of disability discrimination. Wallace, who was diagnosed with autism, contends that the BBC did not adequately accommodate his neurodiversity during the investigation—a claim that, if proven, could set important precedents for how employers in the media industry handle similar situations in the future. The case has already sparked conversations among neurodiversity advocates, who argue that greater understanding and support are needed for employees who may struggle with social boundaries or communication in high-pressure, public-facing roles.
For its part, the BBC has tried to strike a balance between transparency and sensitivity. In announcing the broadcast of the final series, the corporation stated: “After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef.” The broadcaster acknowledged that “not everyone will agree” with the decision, but said it was made with the interests of contestants and viewers in mind.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the saga of Gregg Wallace and MasterChef continues to grip the public imagination. With questions swirling about workplace culture, disability rights, and the power of broadcasters, the outcome of the case could reverberate far beyond the world of reality television. One thing is certain: the story is far from over, and the next chapter promises to be just as compelling as the last.
