Gregg Wallace Accused of Sexist Jokes and Bullying as Over 50 Complaints Surface on Set

Television presenter Gregg Wallace is under increasing scrutiny after several former colleagues alleged that he made inappropriate remarks and contributed to an uncomfortable working environment during his time on various BBC productions. The claims, which emerged in July 2025, have reignited debate over workplace culture in British broadcasting.

Reports from The Mirror, MSN, and Express describe a pattern of behaviour spanning several years, focusing on Wallace's use of language and humour. Multiple sources characterised his comments as unprofessional and, at times, off-colour. Wallace has since responded, acknowledging some of his past remarks while denying any intent to cause harm.

Allegations of humour that crossed the line

According to accounts cited by The Mirror, one incident involved Wallace reportedly asking a sign language interpreter at a live event to translate phrases such as 'big boobs' and 'sexy bum'. Audience members said they were left visibly uncomfortable. Other unnamed individuals claimed he regularly made inappropriate comments, although none alleged physical misconduct.

The testimonies, while differing in detail, point to a shared concern: that Wallace's conduct may have undermined professional boundaries, creating a work environment that felt overly casual or tense. Importantly, none of the reports include confirmed allegations of physical acts such as groping or indecent exposure—claims that have circulated online but remain unverified by any official source.

Online speculation has also attempted to link Wallace to celebrities such as Kirsty Wark and Ulrika Jonsson, but there have been no public statements or direct responses from either figure related to these claims.

Wallace responds: 'It wasn't meant to cause offence'

In an interview with The Express, Wallace reflected on his past conduct, stating that some of the humour from earlier in his career would not be appropriate today. 'I accept that I said things years ago that I wouldn't say now. It wasn't meant to cause offence,' he said.

Earlier this year, Wallace revealed that he had been diagnosed with autism—a development he said gave him a new perspective on how some of his behaviour may have been interpreted. 'It explained a lot,' he said in a previous interview, suggesting that certain social or communication difficulties may have contributed to the perception of insensitivity.

No formal probe or legal action confirmed

Despite the growing public interest, there has been no confirmation that Wallace is facing legal action or formal disciplinary proceedings. Neither the BBC nor any associated production companies have announced an internal investigation at the time of writing.

Production on MasterChef, Wallace's most prominent show, is believed to be unaffected. Episodes already filmed are expected to air as planned. The BBC has so far declined to comment directly on the allegations.

Renewed calls for industry accountability

The situation has reignited conversations around accountability in the UK media industry, particularly regarding how freelance staff and junior employees are treated on set. Unions and campaigners have renewed calls for stricter guidelines and better workplace protections in creative industries, where informal cultures often go unchecked.

Wallace continues to maintain that his actions were without malice and that he regrets any offence caused by his past comments. While his future on-screen remains uncertain, the broader conversation about workplace culture in broadcasting shows no signs of slowing down.