By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Celebrity chef Marcus Wareing has commented on the current status of former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace, noting that Wallace appears to be moving forward following his departure from the BBC.
Impact of the MasterChef scandal
Wareing, a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals since 2014, remarked that the situation was difficult for both Wallace and his former co-host John Torode. Wallace, 62, left his roles on the BBC cooking competition and its spin-off shows in November 2024 during investigations into allegations of misconduct. In July 2025, he was dismissed after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations, including inappropriate sexual language and unwelcome physical contact.
Status of former hosts
John Torode was also dismissed in July 2025 after an allegation involving the use of an offensive racist term was upheld. While Torode expressed shock and stated he had no recollection of the incident, Wallace issued an apology for any distress caused, though he maintained he was cleared of the most serious allegations.
Wareing on his relationship with Wallace
Addressing whether he remains in contact with Wallace, Wareing suggested that while they are aware of each other's presence, they do not maintain constant communication. Wareing observed Wallace on social media, stating that the former host looks well and seems to be moving on, adding that constant communication with people from the past can serve as a persistent reminder of past events.
Wallace's response to allegations
In a previous apology, Wallace addressed the culture of the show, admitting that many jokes were sexual and relied heavily on innuendo. He argued that his behavior matched the culture of the set and was consistent with the expectations of the role. Wallace also dropped a lawsuit against the BBC in February regarding claims of distress and harassment related to personal data disclosure.
