The findings of the BBC’s investigation into allegations against ex MasterChef host Gregg Wallace, which he denies, are expected to be released next month
Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has opened up about a health diagnosis he received amid allegations of misconduct against him last year. The 60-year-old was told he had autism, news he says didn’t come as a shock to his loved ones.
As stated by the National Autistic Society, autism is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability that influences how people experience and interact with the world. It. Autistic people are different from each other, but for a diagnosis they must share differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel and communicate.
“It does explain a hell of a lot to me,” he said. Gregg recounted how the diagnosis followed his controversial Instagram reply to allegations against him, which he claimed were from “middle-class women of a certain age.”
He told the Daily Mail: “My world tumbled in. At this point my name is being linked with Jimmy Savile and Huw Edwards. The abuse on social media is just phenomenal and the stuff hitting the papers was.” Gregg’s lawyers have previously said: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
The presenter went on to discuss the importance of having avenues for vulnerable individuals to voice concerns over bullying, harassment, or discomfort. “I think it’s vital there are channels open for vulnerable people to complain if they are being bullied, harassed or made to feel uncomfortable, but the system hasn’t been perfected,” he shared. “It doesn’t work if the person is a public figure and everything becomes a public trial.”
Discussing his reaction to the allegations: “Crying out loud, I had no idea where all these people were coming from. Then I went completely wild and blamed it all on middle-class women. It was the biggest mistake but, by far, the best thing I could have done.”
This response, according to Gregg, prompted someone from the MasterChef team to finally offer him support, which he felt was lacking during the initial peak of accusations.
“He was the first person I’d spoken to in days. Nobody should be left on their own to face something like this. It’s very difficult to explain the pressure unless you’ve been through it,” he shared. Gregg said he even contemplated suicide and had questions in his head, such as: “‘Is my insurance up to date? Will Anna (his wife) get some money?’ She doesn’t deserve this. It would be better if I wasn’t here.
“The MasterChef exec said, ‘Mate, what are you doing?’. I told him I had to speak out because people were saying what they liked about me and it wasn’t true. I said, ‘It just keeps [going] on and on. What am I supposed to do?'”.
Following these discussions, Banijay UK, the company behind MasterChef, provided him with a crisis mentor. He referred to the mentor as “the life raft” he “clung to”, who encouraged him to undergo a mental health assessment, which led to his autism diagnosis.
“I want to make it absolutely clear I’m not blaming my behaviour on my diagnosis, but it does explain a hell of a lot to me,” he expressed, reports Bristol Live.
Gregg also shared his confusion over why his television persona, which appeared to irritate many for years, was never brought to his attention at the time. He additionally said his diagnosis didn’t come as a shock to those close to him.
Recalling a two-year disagreement between him and John Torode, he added: “John and I had an argument over what was ‘travelling’ and what was ‘going on holiday’ because I couldn’t get a definitive answer. This has been going on for two years because so many of the contestants say they went travelling but, to me, it sounds like they’ve been on holiday.
“The producers are like, ‘Mate, will you stay on the food?’ I’m saying, ‘No. I need to know what constitutes travelling. How long were you away? How many hotels?’ John’s like, ‘Will you just f***ing drop it?'”.
The findings from the BBC’s probe into the allegations against Gregg are set to published in the coming month.