Who knew about Gregg Wallace’s misconduct allegations?

TV presenter Gregg Wallace has said he will now be “taking some time out” after receiving backlash after complaints about his alleged behavior came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.

His comments not only upset celebrities and the public, but also caused a backlash in Downing Street, calling them “inappropriate and misogynistic”. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is in talks with BBC management as an investigation into his conduct is launched.

Despite calls for new episodes of MasterChef, new episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals, with Wallace as a judge, will air on BBC One on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The 60-year-old left MasterChef after 13 people accused him of inappropriate behaviour. Since then, many others have shared their experiences.

The first complaint was filed 17 years ago, the TV presenter’s behavior was already investigated.

Here’s a timeline of complaints against Gregg Wallace.

2005 year

The complaints date back to 2005, the very first series of MasterChef, on which Wallace worked, when a male staff member alleged that the host regularly made overtly sexual remarks.

2008 year

MasterChef contestant Dr. Kate Thomas filed a complaint against Wallace, alleging sexual harassment and racist comments.

2011 year

In 2011, journalist Kirsty Wark complained to the production company that he told “sexy” jokes during filming. She told BBC News: “Greg Wallace was sometimes a bad guy.” She said their response was “almost like it was some kind of trouble.”

2012 year

The following year, actress and writer Emma Kennedy, who went on to win her own series of Celebrity MasterChef, complained to the production company after he allegedly groped another woman. She said, “They knew then and have known ever since.”

2017 year

In 2017, TV presenter Aasma Mir says she wrote a letter to the BBC about allegedly inappropriate comments made while filming. In response, the BBC boss warned Wallace that his behavior was “unacceptable and (cannot) continue”.

Ulrika Jonsson also appeared in the series, and she says Wallace was forced to apologize after making a “rape joke” during filming.

2018 year

Then the following year, Wallace received another warning from BBC bosses after a complaint about his behavior on the quiz show Impossible Celebrities. After a BBC investigation, his behavior was deemed “unacceptable and unprofessional” and a 90-minute meeting was held with Wallace to understand “how seriously the BBC is taking this matter”.

2019 year

The following year saw reports of inappropriate behavior on two other Channel 5 shows, Big Weekends and the BBC’s Eat Well for Less. A woman who worked on ex-suspect Wallace made “lesbian jokes.”

2022 year

In 2022, a letter was sent to the BBC with numerous allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The letter was also shared with the industry union and an external whistleblower service. The BBC is said to have assumed that each individual would have to make their own direct complaint, but no further action was taken. Wallace received an MBE that year.

2023 year

Wallace quit the BBC show Inside The Factory, which he hosted for a decade, after he was accused of inappropriate behavior during a trip to a Nestle factory.

November 2024

Wallace is stepping down from presenting MasterChef while allegations of historic wrongdoing are investigated. BBC News sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives outlining allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people over 17 years.

Sir Rod Stewart posted an Instagram story claiming Wallace had “humiliated” his wife Penny Lancaster, who appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. The singer called him a “fat, bald, ill-mannered hooligan.”

Wallace’s lawyers say it is “completely untrue that he is engaging in conduct of a sexual nature.”

In response to reports of multiple complaints made by the BBC, a source at the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal personnel processes.

Production company Banijay UK has confirmed it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to investigate Wallace’s alleged behaviour.