Gregg Wallace has been fired by the BBC after a nine month investigation into claims of misconduct.
The former MasterChef host shared a statement on Instagram [8 July] which read: “I have taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins report – a decision I do not take lightly.”
“But after 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others. I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.”
“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”
(Image: BBC)
The Sun reported that Gregg’s report is officially due for release by Banijay on Thursday 10 July, but the MasterChef star’s legal team have allegedly “been given an early steer”.
An insider said that Gregg is “furious and devastated” by the decision, while his team have “seen the report and believe he is cleared of the most serious wrongdoing allegations,” which he has “taken great consolation from”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”
The news comes nine months after production company Banijay launched an investigation into Gregg’s behaviour on the BBC competition show.
(Image: BBC/Shine TV)
A reported 30 complaints were made against the TV presenter, who took to Instagram to slam those who made allegations as “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer branded Gregg’s comment as “completely inappropriate and misogynistic”.
Gregg gave an interview addressing the alleged comments and explained that he had received an autism diagnosis while the investigation was ongoing.
He said: “Some of what’s been said [claims made against him] sounds like the sort of comments I’d have made. I want to make it absolutely clear I’m not blaming my behaviour on my diagnosis, but it does explain a hell of a lot to me.”
“Although I’m still trying to compute why, if my persona on the telly was pissing so many people off for all those years, nobody told me at the time.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
