Gregg Wallace was reportedly hospitalised with a suspected heart attack just days before confirming his exit from MasterChef following a lengthy misconduct investigation.
The MasterChef presenter, 60, publicly criticised the broadcaster in a statement this week, claiming he had been sacked despite being cleared of what he described as “the most serious and sensational accusations”.
According to The Sun, Wallace told a friend he was rushed to a hospital in Ashford on Sunday after suffering chest pains for two days, with fears he may have suffered a heart attack.
Of his health scare, an insider shared: “The stress of this betrayal brought on my suspected heart attack. It's been hell.”
It comes as BBC News is said to have received over 50 further allegations against the long-standing TV personality.
These include claims he once pulled down his trousers in front of a crew member and groped another while filming MasterChef.
A university student has claimed he reached under her skirt and pinched her bottom in a nightclub, and a junior worker alleged he dropped his trousers in front of her while he was not wearing any underwear.
Production firm Banijay previously said Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating” with the external review while his lawyers have previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.
Some of the more recent claims include a MasterChef worker who said she tried to complain about comments she alleged he made about her body in 2022, and a former policeman who said he tried to raise concerns after he allegedly witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments at a charity event in 2023.
BBC News reported the majority of the 50 people had said he made inappropriate sexual comments, with 11 women accusing him of inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as groping and touching.
He has vehemently denied the claims.
BBC News also said it has not seen the final Banijay report but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.
Earlier on Tuesday, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” against him ahead of the report examining his alleged misconduct.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account, he said: “I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established.
“The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.”
He also said he recognises that some of his humour and language was inappropriate “at times” and apologised for this.
Banijay said in a statement: “While the external investigation is ongoing, we won't be commenting on individual allegations. We encourage anyone wishing to raise issues or concerns to contact us in confidence.”
The BBC added: “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."
According to The Sun, Wallace is now considering legal action against the BBC and the show’s production company, Banijay, and has hired lawyer Dan Morrison, who previously represented Nigel Farage in the Coutts bank row.
His legal team is reportedly pushing for the executive summary of the misconduct report to be made public, which could raise further questions for senior executives at MasterChef.
The Standard has contacted Gregg Wallace’s representatives for comment.
