Greg Wallace has admitted his TV career is over, as he hit out at “wokeism and cancel culture” after being sacked by the BBC for inappropriate behaviour.
The presenter has vowed never to watch MasterChef again following his dismissal from the broadcaster after dozens of complaints were made about his conduct in the workplace.
He also claimed he was groped during his time on the cooking show and believes he was accused of wrongdoing by women with an “agenda” against him.
However, Wallace issued an apology to those who spoke out against him, saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”.
Last week, the BBC confirmed it will air the latest series of MasterChef with Wallace, 60, and co-host John Torode, 60, who was also fired over allegations of racism.
But speaking from his rural Kent home, Wallace — whose BBC contract was terminated this month after an independent report commissioned by production company Banijay UK and conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 out of 83 claims made against him — told The Sun: “I don’t want anything to do with telly.”
Reflecting on his stint presenting MasterChef between 2005 and 2024, Wallace said: “My God, can you imagine the complaints I could have made?
“Have you got any idea of the sexual references made to me on a daily basis? How many times I’ve been touched by women wanting a selfie? How many times I’ve been groped?
“How many times suggestive comments have been made to me? How many female contestants have said inappropriate things on MasterChef?
“It wouldn’t even cross my mind though. Now, I’m not suggesting that groping is right, but it was happening to me on a regular basis. It was just extraordinary.”
He added: “The amount of times when I was desperately trying to build a career in television that I’ve been shouted at and bullied.
“I don’t know what the answer is, and I understand the need for anonymity, but I wouldn’t wish anyone to be dragged through what I have.”
Wokeism and cancel culture is terrifying
He previously told The Sun that he was not a “groper, a sex pest or a flasher” and backed Torode saying “he is not a racist”.
However, he regrets an Instagram post last year in which he said he was accused of misconduct by “middle-class women of a certain age”.
Asked whether he will watch his final series of MasterChef, which is set to air on BBC One and iPlayer later this year, Wallace replied: “No. I’m hurt. I don’t want anything to do with telly. I don’t want anything to do with the BBC.
“I really don’t care. Whoever hosts it next, and I really don’t care who it is, the show will be absolutely fine.”
Wallace accepts his broadcasting career is over and has qualified as a personal trainer helping men over 50 get fit, charging clients £50 a week.
He fears he will be stripped of the MBE he was awarded in 2020, saying: “I haven’t done anything illegal and hopefully now more and more people will realise that I haven’t been exposing myself, and I haven’t been groping people either.”
Wallace credits his family, especially his wife Anna, for supporting him and being his “rock” over the last few months, especially during Christmas when he contemplated suicide.
He reflects: “I realised that would be selfish on them, and totally unfair. Seeing how tough this has been on them —my mum, who died earlier this year, called me one day to ask why the Prime Minister (Sir Keir Starmer) was talking about me on telly — has been heartbreaking.
“Wokeism and cancel culture is terrifying — I just hope no one else ever has to go through anything like this.”
Wallace confirmed he is contemplating suing the BBC — after taking on celebrity lawyer Dan Morrison — for what he believes is their “unfair” treatment of him over his autism.
He said: “Honestly I don’t know if I will go through with it right now though. I feel utterly battered and bruised, and right now just want to hide behind my sofa drinking Horlicks.
“Perhaps when the dust has settled but it’s too early to say what I will do next.”
