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Gregg Wallace, a former MasterChef presenter, is demanding up to £10,000 in damages from the BBC, alleging that the broadcaster caused him “distress and harassment” by refusing to provide him with copies of his personal data. Wallace was dismissed from the cooking show in July after a report confirmed over 40 allegations regarding his behavior on MasterChef, including instances of unwelcome physical contact and being in a state of undress. Despite expressing regret for any distress caused, Wallace now seeks compensation for the ordeal he has endured.
Wallace’s legal action against the BBC and BBC Studios has prompted them to withhold comments on the ongoing legal proceedings, maintaining editorial independence. Court documents reveal that Wallace had requested his “personal data” from both entities in March, encompassing information related to his work, contractual relationships, and conduct over a 21-year span. The BBC considered his request complex, leading to delays in providing the requested information, citing the need for more time to process the data.
In August, the BBC apologized to Wallace for the delay in fulfilling his request, assuring him of their efforts to expedite the process. However, Wallace’s lawyer argues that despite these assurances, Wallace has yet to receive a complete response. Allegations of wrongful redactions and withholding of relevant information have added to his distress, prompting Wallace to seek damages and a court order for compliance from the BBC and BBC Studios. It remains to be seen how the defendants will respond to these claims as they have not filed a defense yet.
After hosting MasterChef for two decades, Gregg Wallace stepped down from his role last year amidst a flurry of misconduct claims. An inquiry conducted by an independent law firm revealed that 45 claims against Wallace were substantiated, with the majority involving inappropriate sexual language and humor, as well as culturally insensitive or racist remarks. Alongside Wallace, his co-host John Torode also faced allegations, leading to both of their dismissals in July. The revelation of new hosts Grace Dent and Anna Haugh marks a new chapter for the long-running cooking show
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