The former MasterChef host claims the BBC caused him distress by failing to release his personal data
Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace has launched legal action against the BBC and its commercial arm, BBC Studios, claiming the broadcaster caused him “distress and harassment” by failing to comply with his request for access to his personal data.
According to court documents filed at the High Court, Wallace is seeking damages of up to £10,000, along with an order requiring the BBC to hand over all information it holds about him. The case follows his dramatic dismissal from MasterChef in July after an internal investigation upheld dozens of allegations about his behaviour.
The 59-year-old presenter, who had hosted MasterChef for 20 years, was sacked following a report that substantiated more than 40 claims, including one of unwelcome physical contact and three involving incidents where he was allegedly undressed on set.
Wallace has previously said he is “deeply sorry for any distress” caused and insisted he “never set out to harm or humiliate anyone.”
The BBC and BBC Studios confirmed they would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings but said they had filed a defence. The details of that defence have not yet been made public.
In his claim, Wallace alleges that he made a “subject access request” to both the BBC and BBC Studios in March under data protection laws, asking for copies of all information related to his “work, contractual relations, and conduct” over a 21-year period.
According to the court papers, the BBC told Wallace his request was “complex” and therefore required more time to process. Under data protection legislation, organisations normally have one month to respond to such requests, but can extend that timeframe in complicated cases.
By August, Wallace said he still had not received a full response. The BBC emailed him to apologise for the delay, saying it was “taking all reasonable steps” to process his request “in a timely manner.”
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He claims that BBC Studios later informed him that parts of his data were being withheld on the grounds of “freedom of expression.” Wallace argues this response was unlawful and that information had been “wrongly redacted” or excluded entirely.
“By reason of the defendants failing to fully comply with the [subject access request] made by the claimant for his own personal data,” Wallace said, “the defendants acted in breach of their statutory duty and in doing so caused distress and harassment to the claimant.”
He is seeking compensation for “distress, harassment, and loss of amenity” not exceeding £10,000, plus interest. His representatives have been approached for comment.
Wallace’s legal claim marks the latest chapter in a scandal that has rocked one of the BBC’s most popular programmes. Following complaints from crew and contestants, MasterChef’s production company, Banijay, ordered an immediate investigation, carried out by an independent law firm.
The resulting report, published this summer, found that 45 of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated. Many involved inappropriate sexual humour or culturally insensitive comments, while others cited instances of physical behaviour and unprofessional conduct.
After the findings were made public, Wallace issued a statement insisting that “none of the serious allegations against me were upheld.” Nevertheless, both he and his long-time co-host, John Torode, were dismissed from the show in July.
Torode, too, was cited in the investigation, with one claim involving the use of a highly offensive racist term found to be substantiated. The Australian-born chef said he had “no recollection” of the alleged remark.
Since their departures, the BBC has announced that food critic Grace Dent and chef Anna Haugh will take over as the new faces of MasterChef.
As the legal case unfolds, it threatens to reopen a controversy that the broadcaster had hoped was finally over. For Wallace, it represents not just a battle for compensation but a fight to reclaim control of his story after one of the most public falls from grace in British television.