Gregg Wallace’s Emotional First Interview: Revealing His Side of the Story and a Devastating Loss

Approximately a month ago, Gregg Wallace performed the cremation for his mother, Mary Pettman who passed away due to a fatal heart attack during sleep. At that time, Gregg was swamped by an overwhelming wave of accusations concerning inappropriate conduct on BBC’s MasterChef.

His mum could never really understand why people were, as she said, ‘picking on’ him.

Speaking as one who has always been deeply cherished by her, I can’t help but reflect on the irony that in the twilight of her existence, she was forced to endure malicious gossip and witness a public fall from grace – all directed at me. As her eldest, I had the privilege of being in the limelight, gracing the television screen, yet it’s heart-wrenching that our roles were reversed in those final days. Gregg, aged 60, shared these sentiments after parting ways with MasterChef five months prior, as investigations into historical allegations of misconduct from 13 women unfolded.

The findings, which are expected to largely find in Gregg’s favour, will be made public next month.

‘My mother was a believer in the spiritual realm. I’ve always had doubts, but I sincerely pray that she was correct. I wish with all my heart that she is watching over me from above, seeing my progress.’

Gregg finds it hard to hold back the tears that are on the verge of falling. Everything about the situation isn’t simple for him. His affection for his mother was immense, and she was always there to support him.

Gregg fights against the tears that are about to flow freely. Life is tough for him, and he has a deep love for his mom who stood by him unwaveringly.

She stood by his side when he faced backlash after making inflammatory comments about the accusations, claiming they originated from a small group of older, affluent women.

Such extensive backlash arose that even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denounced Gregg’s statements as ‘totally inappropriate and sexist.’

My mum called and asked, “Sweetheart, what’s happening? It seems the Prime Minister is mentioning you. Who have you had a disagreement with? Why are they singling you out?

I admitted that I made a mistake, and now there’s an investigation into my actions. However, it seems like more and more people are speaking up against me. Mum, not everything they’re saying is accurate. I didn’t do many of the things they’re accusing me of.

‘She said, “I don’t believe you have.”’

Previously known for handling two complaints over the span of a 20-year career involving up to 4,000 contestants and crew members across shows like MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals, and Celebrity MasterChef, Gregg found himself at his limit following his resignation, when he shared that emotional video on Instagram.

For four straight nights, I found myself unable to rest. An avalanche of emotions – an invasion, solitude, desertion – washed over me, leaving me drenched and trembling. Not a single peep, not even a hint, from the BBC as these stories unfolded – nary a soul reached out at all.

24-hour updates on news channels brought forth fresh accusations. A tsunami of harsh comments flooded social media. Reporters huddled outside the gates, constantly scrutinizing and criticizing you for various allegations. You found yourself repeatedly questioning the truth, wondering what would come next as you faced repeated accusations.

1. You’re not getting any rest; your heart pounds rapidly, and your body seems to be failing due to high stress levels. The accusations of being a pervert make you feel unclean and wretched.

2. You can’t seem to sleep; instead, your heart races, and it feels like your body is giving out under the weight of stress. Being called a pervert by others leaves you feeling grimy and miserable.

3. You’re not sleeping, your heart’s beating fast, and it feels like your body can’t handle the pressure because of the stress. The insults of being a pervert make you feel filthy and low.

4. Insomnia plagues you; your heart races wildly, and your body seems to be on the verge of collapse from stress. The name-calling of being a pervert leaves you feeling unclean and wretched.

5. You’re not getting any sleep, your heart is racing, and it feels like your body can’t keep up with the strain because of the stress. Being labeled as a pervert by others makes you feel dirty and dejected.

‘I had believed I had good relationships with influential women, but they began criticizing or attacking me instead.’

On Celebrity MasterChef’s filming back in 2011, Kirsty Wark, aged 70, alleged that Gregg made inappropriate jokes with a sexual connotation.

He maintains he was never aware that he had offended her until her complaint became public.

As a close companion, our bond seemed strong. We journeyed side by side for an impressive three-month stretch, as she navigated her way through to the final three contenders. The finale night remains vivid in my memory, where we celebrated together with champagne toasts and exchanged humorous banter after the show.

I hadn’t come across the complaint before, so I wasn’t aware of its content. It left me wondering, “What could I have possibly done?” Frankly, I didn’t grasp its meaning at all.

Apart from well-known media personalities such as Vanessa Feltz (aged 63) and Kirstie Allsopp (aged 53), other individuals within the broadcasting industry also voiced their concerns.

Vanessa Feltz left me utterly surprised when she brought up an accusation against me. It was a story from one of her friends claiming they overheard me making a suggestive comment in an elevator. Despite our friendly history – I’ve appeared on her show, and we’ve even exchanged messages on social media – this allegation took me off guard.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I find myself questioning, “Vanessa, are we truly discussing a remark attributed to me, which allegedly transpired in an elevator and was second-hand information? I had always believed our interactions were more personal than that.

Later, Kirstie [Allsopp] mentioned that we were in a green room together, along with my former spouse. She claimed that my ex-wife left the room, and I began discussing an intimate act I had tried with her. However, I don’t engage in such activities, as I only experimented with it once when I was 28 and found it unpleasant. Therefore, I wouldn’t have brought up that topic.

‘I’m like, “Ladies, what are you doing? What’s happening here?”

At that moment, my anger took over. I didn’t have a plan or strategy; I simply reacted because I was furious and felt like expressing it loudly.

In a recent interview, Gregg’s voice shows signs of strain, marking his first public appearance since the allegations surfaced. He confides that discussing the matter revives a profound sense of stress within him. Over the weekend, he experienced chest discomfort, causing concern for his wife, Anna, whom he has been married to for nine years.

Currently resides she, within their picturesque abode in Kent, adorned with bird melodies on the walls and equestrian facilities sprawled across six acres. It’s Anna, a retiring soul, who stands firm in championing her spouse’s cause.

As the dreadful ordeal started, Gregg found himself feeling tainted and refrained from touching his spouse for several weeks.

Anna expresses, “I’d like to embrace him, or pat his knee, whatever form of tactile interaction. I told him, ‘Take all the time you need; we can return to how things were earlier. There’s no hurry, no expectation.’

I wished to make him understand that I recognized he wasn’t the individual the media was depicting; instead, he is a caring and compassionate family man who goes out of his way to help others.

After about a week, I found myself crumbling in the corridor, tears streaming down my face. “I’m shattered,” I whispered, “They’ve relentlessly battered me. They’ve left an indelible mark on my reputation.”

Or:

A week into it all, I hit a wall in the hallway, my composure crumbling. Through the tears, I murmured, “I feel broken, they’ve battered me mercilessly. They’ve tarnished my good name beyond repair.

Overwhelmed, he found himself unable to hold back the tears. Despite his reputation as a stoic individual, this was an unusual display of emotion for him.

Anna, deeply attached to the man she encountered 12 years prior, grew visibly emotional. ‘I worried he might break entirely.’

The count of complainants escalated from 13 to 30. There were accusations he behaved inappropriately on set, such as prancing around nude with a sock covering one part of his body while performing a goofy dance in front of the production team (which he denies), making questionable jokes (he admits some of it might resemble the type of humor he would use), and unwantedly touching crew members (a claim he firmly refutes).

Perplexed, Gregg, adamant that he’s never intentionally bullied or harassed sexually, found himself at a loss for understanding.

I contacted eight distinct individuals from MasterChef, including Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing, to ask for assistance. My request was, “Would you kindly assist me as I’m struggling to recall something? Do you happen to recollect any instance where I interacted physically with anyone on the set?

They firmly replied, ‘No way. Not at all.’ If you hadn’t known, Monica would have scolded me for suggesting it. I felt relieved when I realized I wasn’t losing my mind.

18 years back, I wasn’t prancing around the studio in just a sock and the other part bare, but rather, I was preparing for a formal charity event in my dressing room.

After wrapping up our filming, the studio was vacant except for Monica and a couple of my friends lounging on a couch near my dressing room. From where I stood, it appeared they were hanging out there, possibly enjoying some drinks.

I was wearing a dress shirt and bowtie, slipped on a sock over my lower half, excitedly exclaimed “Hooray” as I hurriedly opened my door, and promptly shut it behind me.

Monica finds it among the most amusing experiences she’s had and continues to share that story. Consequently, those claiming they witnessed it might only have heard about it.

According to Gregg, quite a few individuals who work alongside him have expressed shock over recent events. Twice already, his MasterChef fellow host John Torode has reached out by phone.

Gregg mentions that Marcus expressed concern for my well-being, offered an apology regarding my mom, and encouraged me to remain strong. Additionally, Monica urges me to resolve this issue quickly so we can return to the studio.

It’s important for me to be transparent here: Over time, it appears that I may have unintentionally upset many individuals, given the high volume of complaints I’ve received.

‘MasterChef contestants face intense pressure, often leaving with dashed hopes. I believe there may have been some confusion about my intentions, as many criticisms stem from old instances. There seems to be a gap between the interpretation of my words and their original meaning.’

Four years back, Penny Lancaster, wife of Sir Rod Stewart, alleged that Gregg had been verbally abusive and intimidating towards her during their time together on Celebrity MasterChef.

According to Gregg, there was a misunderstanding between him and her that he only vaguely remembered. Fortunately, there’s footage of the incident – raw, unedited footage, not what you see on TV. It shows Penny and him arguing about whether an orchid should be placed in a bowl of soup or not. I assure you, this is no joke.

‘I want to take the orchid off because it’s not edible. She wants it to stay on.’

He sadly nods his head. “Too bad, I’m quite fond of Rod Stewart. In fact, I’ve had the pleasure of watching him live on three occasions. It seems he’s standing up for his spouse right now.

I genuinely did not intend to offend anyone. I believed that I was simply fulfilling expectations, providing what was requested of me. It wasn’t until later that I realized my actions may have been causing issues.

Gregg has come to realize, following his autism diagnosis during this process, that his social interactions differ from most people’s. He sometimes shares too much information and struggles to gauge the appropriate level of disclosure in various situations. Additionally, he exhibits an unwavering honesty.

He clarifies that his actions are not a result of his diagnosis, but it certainly provides a significant understanding for him.

Even though I’m still struggling to understand it, it seems strange that, given how much my TV character irritated people for such a long time, no one warned me about it during those years.

In truth, the loud, energetic former greengrocer we saw on TV is only a small part of Gregg.

He muses, “I’ve often pondered why some people believe that a roasted grouse can’t be enjoyed as much as a Big Mac.” As for himself, he shares, “I’m a Londoner from a working-class background, but I’m also deeply passionate about history, English literature, architecture, and art.

Gregg is a thoughtful man, blessed with a sense of humor, who finds joy in his family. His family consists of two adult children, Tom (age 31) and Libby (age 27), from a previous marriage, as well as Sid, his five-year-old son who has autism and is nonverbal, with his current wife Anna, aged 38.

Since his own diagnosis earlier this year, Gregg has a ‘greater empathy’ for his son.

In a way, it feels as if we’re more like a small group. Last night during dinner, I told Anna something along the lines of: “I used to believe that your influence might have caused this, given my past experience with children who appeared neurotypical. But now I realize that it wasn’t you or your family. Instead, it was me who had the characteristics all along.

Sid is an engaging, affectionate boy but, such are his challenges, he can be a handful.

Anna’s mother Rina, who resides with them in Kent, is a significant source of support. She is deeply moved to see Gregg in such a low state. He has consistently shown her nothing but kindness. When Anna’s father Massimo was battling lung cancer a year prior to the MasterChef allegations surfacing, Gregg set up a hospital bed in the TV room and insisted on caring for him at home.

Anna remarks that Gregg is very giving. However, she suggests he seems to have a strong desire for others to appreciate him. In essence, it’s almost as if he were wearing a shirt with the words “Like me, like me” displayed boldly and brightly.

Last summer, journalists started examining Gregg’s actions on MasterChef. He stated, “I innocently assumed, ‘When will they figure out that I just go home and read history books? What could they possibly uncover?’ I might share a joke about a funny nun or crooked donkey, but I haven’t done anything improper.

I could hardly imagine being placed inside a bag and tossed into a river over remarks I made two decades back. Times have changed, what was considered acceptable by everyone back then is no longer so today.

2005 marked the year Gregg joined MasterChef alongside John Torode. Their amusing exchanges, subtly infused with humor, played a significant role in making the show one of BBC’s most successful programs during an era when gatherings were postponed due to events, rather than individuals; snowflakes referred to frozen crystals precipitating from cold weather, not sensitive individuals who are easily offended; and ‘Trigger’ was a beloved character from Only Fools And Horses, not a term used recently to caution against outdated mindsets that were added to the classic sitcom earlier this year.

Gregg acknowledges that he will likely be held responsible for some of his racier jokes from the past. ‘I was quite slow to adapt to the shifting dynamics of my work environment. It wasn’t until seven years ago that I had a significant realization and understood that the boisterous, lively character I portrayed on TV might no longer be relevant. Therefore, I chose to change.’

7 years back, Gregg faced disciplinary action by the BBC due to unsuitable conduct during a quiz show. On the last day of filming, he complimented a young assistant, stating that she was incredibly intelligent, stunningly beautiful, and destined for success.

They told me the comment I made was inappropriate since it was a personal jab, and instead of clarifying, they enrolled me in a training program about communicating with young individuals. This only added to my confusion.

‘I thought, “F***, I don’t have to do very much to get into a lot of trouble here.”’

Instead of hanging out with the younger crowd, Gregg preferred solitude during his stays. He’d opt for room service instead of joining them for meals or drinks.

I explained that you make me uncomfortable because the mindset of someone at 60 differs significantly from that of a 25-year-old. The environment today seems to be filled with frequent complaints, which wasn’t as prevalent in my younger years. When we go out together, have drinks, and express our opinions, whether they are political or social, I worry that you might criticize me.

‘They’d say, “But Gregg, it’s us!” I’d say, “I know but you scare me – you all scare me.”

Since 2018, aside from Penny Lancaster, there have been no criticisms concerning my behavior. However, my anxiety has been extremely high. My role demands a great deal of exertion. You’re similar to a bouncy Tigger who is always full of energy.

Your likelihood of making a mistake is quite high. In fact, at least twice or thrice a week, I would head to the office after work and inquire, “Have I said something incorrectly today?

‘John Torode just commented that the young man has large chilies. Let me remind you, he mentioned that your chilies are quite big.’

‘Afterwards I’m thinking, “That’s almost sexual. Will they think I’m referring to his testicles?”

I shared with Anna and my mother-in-law Rina, the conversation I had. I repeatedly went over it. Last night, I found myself frantically calling the director. My sleep was disturbed. The level of anxiety I felt was immense because if I could potentially be in trouble for saying someone is attractive, what other transgressions might I be liable for?

I’ve come to learn that I, Gregg, have been informed that journalists reached out to over 100 women. Initial accusations were initially examined by MasterChef management who found no grounds for suspicion until two women lodged complaints to the BBC about inappropriate behavior from me, dating back 18 years. These allegations included claims of me wandering around a bustling studio in nothing but a sock covering certain private areas.

According to the BBC, it recommended that Banijay UK temporarily halt Gregg’s involvement and conduct a thorough, impartial inquiry instead.

He was told on Zoom on November 26.

‘I didn’t realise the enormity of it because I thought I hadn’t done anything bad,’ says Gregg.

Two days later Banijay UK issued a statement inviting anyone with any concerns to contact it.

According to Gregg, his life has taken a drastic turn as he’s now being associated with Jimmy Savile and Huw Edwards. The backlash on social media is overwhelming, and the allegations making headlines are… He finds it difficult to hold back tears.

It’s crucial that avenues exist for individuals who face bullying, harassment, or discomfort to voice their concerns. However, the current system isn’t flawless, particularly when it comes to public figures. In such cases, matters can escalate into a public spectacle, which might not always be effective or fair.

Surprised beyond belief, I hadn’t a clue about the origin of these multitudes. Overwhelmed, I lashed out irrationally, casting blame upon the middle-class females. In hindsight, it was an error, yet undeniably one of the most effective actions I could have taken.

Because, finally, a senior executive from MasterChef contacted Gregg.

‘I hadn’t spoken to anyone in several days, and he was the first one I encountered. It’s never right for someone to go through something tough alone. The weight of it can be hard to express unless you’ve experienced it yourself. My mind kept wandering towards thoughts of ending my life: “Is my policy current? Will Anna receive some compensation? She doesn’t deserve this pain. Maybe it would be best if I weren’t here.”‘

‘The MasterChef exec said, “Mate, what are you doing?”

I felt compelled to correct him because people were praising me excessively, and it wasn’t accurate. I exclaimed, ‘It never seems to stop. How am I supposed to respond?’

In simpler terms, Banijay UK organized a crisis guide to assist him. This individual served as his ‘lifeline’ that he held on to, urging him to undergo a mental health evaluation. Upon examination, it was determined that he had deep-seated autism.

Those that know Gregg are not exactly surprised.

For quite some time, he’d been showing up at different film studios, inquiring specifically about wardrobe requirements and meal schedules. His shirts were to be neatly arranged in his dressing room, and his pants carefully folded. He thrives on order and routine.

His diary is meticulously organized, mirroring the punctuality of a high-end Cartier watch he wears, detailing his daily routine like tooth brushing, shaving, gym visits, and more. It even includes a prompt for a seemingly impromptu hug for Anna.

For decades, people have noted my uncensored approach, and at times, my colleagues have playfully dubbed me as ‘unconventional.’ Yet, I embrace these labels as they reflect my authenticity and individuality in a world eager to conform.

John and I have had a disagreement about the difference between ‘traveling’ and ‘going on vacation,’ as I find myself unable to locate a clear-cut definition. This debate has persisted for two years now, as numerous contestants claim they went traveling, but it seems more like they were on holiday to me.

The producers ask, “Would you continue working on the food project?” To which I reply, “No, I’d like to clarify what traveling entails. How long were you gone? How many hotels did you stay in?” John responds impatiently, “Could you please just stop bringing it up?

It’s hard to understand why the BBC didn’t seem to realize that Gregg, a prominent figure among their stars, might be neurodivergent and provide him with necessary support, considering this seems quite puzzling.

To be honest, I’ve been going through some tough times lately – sharing on Instagram that my mental state wasn’t great, I was under immense stress, and felt incredibly lonely. However, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that the BBC reached out, offering a meeting to discuss past actions. Prior to this, there seemed to be no efforts made to support me when I needed it most.

In simpler terms, an email arrived from the BBC’s Human Resources team, enclosing the BBC’s Code of Conduct and its core values. Later on that same day, they followed up with a second email that contained links to various resources for mental health support, including the Samaritans, NHS mental health hotlines, and two suicide prevention helplines.

Gregg remarks that things are going well as long as they continue to do so, with many people earning substantial amounts of money. However, he warns that if circumstances start to shift, it could be a real challenge.

Reflecting back, if I had known then what this TV show journey would turn into 20 years ago, I wouldn’t have agreed to be part of it. The experience has not been worth the sacrifice; it feels like you’re inking a deal with the unknown, something akin to signing your name on a contract with the devil.

I’d appreciate if those spreading rumors about me could join us one evening – let’s all get together, say hello to Anna, Sid, Rina, among others. My hope is that they will see we are real people here, not just me dealing with this situation alone. It seems like we all are going through something similar, and I find it hard to comprehend the reason behind it.

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2025-04-25 18:59