Gregg Wallace selling £1m home after being left ‘unable to live the life I used to have’
After his dramatic departure from BBC, Gregg Wallace is selling his £1 million home after being left “unable to live the life I used to have”.
Gregg Wallace is selling his £1 million home after being left “unable to live the life I used to have” following his departure from BBC.
The ex-broadcaster, 61, who co-presented MasterChef for nearly two decades alongside John Torode, was dismissed from the show last July after an investigation into 83 historical allegations of workplace misconduct, of which 45 were upheld.
He later brought a claim against the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited for up to £10,000, alleging failures over disclosure of his personal data that caused him “distress and harassment”, before discontinuing the case in February. Posting on Instagram, Gregg has now said he planned to sell his Kent property, which he bought in 2017, and move to a smaller home while seeking financial security for his wife Anne-Marie Wallace and their son Sid, who has autism.
He told fans: “I can't have the life I used to have but whether you chose to believe it or not, I really wanted to come out of that anyway, but obviously not in the dramatic way that I did.
“I want to ease off a little bit, I want to relax a little bit. but that also comes with wanting financial security for me and my family because I've got a wife that is much younger than me and a special needs little boy, Sid.”
Greg added: “I want to relax a bit but I also want to make sure I can have a certain lifestyle and that I leave a legacy for my family. That's not easy to do.
“So my plan is to sell this enormous house and buy a more modest house. I'll work less and possibly spend half of the year in Italy making adventures for my family because we love Italy.”
Gregg also said he had encountered “tens of thousands of people” during his career, including contestants, crew members and attendees at events.
He added: “Now, imagine that out of all those people, anyone with a grievance, a dislike, or a misremembered moment is encouraged to join in the investigation into you. Do you think you would survive without any complaints being made against you?”
He said “all but one” of the upheld complaints related to incidents before 2018, when he received a formal warning about his language.
A preliminary hearing into his damages claim was cancelled before it was due to take place on 16 February, with a BBC spokesperson confirming the claim had been discontinued.
They said: “Shortly in advance of a hearing, due February 16, Gregg discontinued his claim.
“He is not receiving any payment in costs or damages from either BBC or BBC Studios.”
A review upheld 45 of the 83 allegations against Greg, most dating between 2005 and 2018, including one of “unwelcome physical contact”.
It found the majority related to “inappropriate sexual language and humour”, alongside a smaller number involving other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress.
Gregg issued an apology, saying he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”.
