Gregg Wallace has shared the savage reason he unfollowed his former MasterChef co-host John Torode and his wife Lisa Faulkner on Instagram.
Wallace, 60, was dropped from the BBC cooking competition in November 2024 amid numerous allegations of inappropriate conduct in the workplace.
He unfollowed Torode and Faulkner on Instagram in December, with sources claiming at the time that he was “furious” his former co-host had not defended him publicly amid the furore.
Discussing the social media move, Wallace bluntly told The Sun: “We never really did get on that well.
“We’re two very, very different characters. But we made bloody good telly together for 20 years.”
The former greengrocer did, however, defend Torode - who he began working with in 2005 - against claims that he was “racist”.
Torode, 60, was fired from MasterChef earlier this month after allegations that he said the N-word twice during an after-work drinks in 2018.
“I’ve known John for 30 years and he is not a racist,” Wallace said.
“And as evidence of that, I’ll show you the incredible diversity of the people that he has championed, MasterChef winners, over the years.”
He added that his “sympathies” go out to Torode because he has to “go through” what he went through when he was fired.
The Australian-born chef was accused of using the racial slur while singing along to Kanye West’s song, Gold Digger, at a work gathering.
Torode said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.
Meanwhile, 45 out of 83 allegations made against Wallace were upheld in an independent review.
The review concluded that the “majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour”, adding that “a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated”, with “one incident of unwelcome physical contact” also substantiated.
Wallace apologised for any “hurt or distress caused” but later insisted he is not a “groper,” “flasher,” or “sex pest”.
He 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.
It was announced this week that a series of MasterChef filmed last year before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6.
A decision on airing the celebrity series and Christmas special has not been decided, with plans to be confirmed later in the year, the BBC said.
Both presenters will still feature in the upcoming series, but the edit will be looked at in light of the findings of an investigation, with focus being given to the contestants, the PA news agency understands.
A BBC spokesperson said: “After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August.
“MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.”
