Gregg Wallace’s Social Media Comeback and New Ventures
Gregg Wallace, the former MasterChef host, is making a bold move to relaunch his career on social media. He recently announced a 12-hour TikTok ‘cookathon’ with Malik Butchers, a Wolverhampton-based business that describes itself as “Britain’s favourite halal butchers.” This event marks a significant step in Wallace’s attempt to rebuild his public image and engage with a new audience.
Wallace, who was dismissed by the BBC last July following a probe into 83 historical allegations of workplace misconduct, has been working to regain his footing. The allegations included 45 upheld claims, primarily related to inappropriate sexual language and humor. Despite this, he remains optimistic about his future.
“I’m excited to announce a brand new live cookery show on TikTok, Gregg’s Kitchen, and it will showcase on Sunday,” he said. The event will feature “amazing dishes,” “incredible guests,” and “very good offers” from the platform’s shop.
Manny Malik, co-owner of Malik Butchers, shared similar sentiments on Facebook, stating that the time had come for a cooking show where viewers could interact and even buy the foods being cooked. This collaboration highlights the growing trend of partnerships between celebrities and local businesses, leveraging social media for wider reach and engagement.
Wallace has also been active on other platforms, including TikTok and Cameo, sharing workout videos and personalized clips. In one of his recent posts, he revealed that he had been “forced to change [his] life at 60” after losing his job, income, and experiencing several “sleepless nights.” However, he emphasized that he is not seeking sympathy. “The lesson here is that we can all rebuild at any age,” he added.
This latest endeavor comes amid ongoing discussions about the allegations against him. In 2024, several celebrities, including Vanessa Feltz and Kirstie Allsopp, made claims against Wallace. He initially refuted these accusations, suggesting they were launched by a “handful of women of a certain age.” However, a review by law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 of the 83 allegations against him, which mostly occurred between 2005 and 2018.
The report noted 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.” Wallace issued an apology, expressing his deep sorrow for any distress caused and clarifying that he never intended to harm or humiliate anyone.
He later sued the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited for up to £10,000 in damages over allegations they failed to disclose his personal data, which caused him “distress and harassment.” However, he dropped his claim in February.
In addition to his legal battles, Wallace has been focusing on teaching children and adults diagnosed with autism to live self-sufficient lives. Inspired by his son, Sid, who is autistic and nonverbal, he has been studying to become an autism coach. Addressing Instagram followers in March, he emphasized that “autism should not be seen as a deficit.” He highlighted the unique strengths of each autistic person, advocating for their development and support.
Wallace previously claimed that only two complaints were raised during his 20-year tenure, with the remaining 43 upheld claims emerging after “sensationalised (and untrue)” initial allegations became public in late 2024. An allegation against his MasterChef co-host, John Torode, regarding racist language was also upheld by the Lewis Silkin report. However, Torode denied the claim, stating that he could not remember the incident and does not believe it happened.
The BBC stated that Wallace’s contract was not renewed due to the use of “an extremely offensive racist term” in the workplace. Despite this, Wallace has continued to explore new opportunities, launching a social media career after leaving the broadcaster. He has shared episodes of his own YouTube cookery show alongside his wife, Lisa Faulkner, a former Celebrity Masterchef winner.
In a Substack post shared in January, Wallace criticized the investigation against him, calling it “not a legal one” and comparing it to an internal HR process. He claimed that an “open invitation” was sent out asking anyone who had “ever worked with me (or met me) to come forward and tell their stories” after his reputation was already “being dragged through the mud.”
Wallace pointed out that he had interacted with “tens of thousands of people” over his career, including contestants, film crews, and attendees at charity events and industry parties. He questioned whether anyone could survive without any complaints being made against them, given the vast network of people he has encountered.
A preliminary hearing into his claim for £10,000 in damages was cancelled shortly before it was due to take place on February 16. A BBC spokesperson later confirmed that Wallace had discontinued the claim, stating that he is not receiving any payment in costs or damages from either the BBC or BBC Studios.
Wallace began co-presenting MasterChef in 2005, but it was announced in November 2024 that he would step away from his role while the misconduct allegations were investigated. The Daily Mail has approached Gregg Wallace’s representatives for comment.
