London, England — A recent investigation into the BBC’s popular cooking show “MasterChef” has revealed significant misconduct allegations against presenter Gregg Wallace, with findings that include substantiated claims of inappropriate behavior and comments spanning nearly two decades. The inquiry, initiated by production company Banijay following earlier reports of Wallace’s conduct, substantiated 45 of the 83 allegations raised against him.

The independent review highlighted various accusations, notably instances of unwelcome physical contact and inappropriate humor, including sexual language and culturally insensitive remarks. The inquiry began following an initial BBC News report that cast a spotlight on Wallace’s behavior, prompting greater scrutiny.

Prior to the report’s release, Wallace had contended that its findings cleared him of the more serious allegations. However, it was disclosed last week that he had been dismissed from his role on the show after more individuals came forward with additional claims about his conduct ranging from his work on “MasterChef” to other television appearances and events.

Reports indicate that around 150 individuals contacted BBC News to share their experiences with Wallace, many of which were corroborated by the inquiry. While 20 of these accounts stemmed from Banijay productions, others emerged from diverse settings, including nightclubs and award ceremonies. Some contributors to the inquiry added their testimony to bolster the allegations against Wallace.

As the production of the new “MasterChef” series, filmed last year, faces uncertainty, the fallout from the investigation has drawn attention to the culture within the television industry. The inquiry spanned allegations dating back to 2005 and resulted in additional complaints against other personnel, two of which were upheld, primarily involving inappropriate language.

The report made specific note of Wallace’s recent diagnosis of autism, suggesting that his neurodiversity may provide context to some of his actions. Yet it also made clear that he does not wish to use his diagnosis to evade accountability for his behavior. Following the release of the findings, multiple autism advocacy groups expressed strong disapproval over what they perceived as Wallace’s attempt to link his misconduct to his diagnosis.

Banijay’s CEO Patrick Holland acknowledged a failure in how complaints were handled historically, stating that procedures were not sufficiently robust. He expressed remorse for the trauma experienced by those affected, emphasizing that their concerns should have been taken more seriously.

Additionally, the BBC acknowledged shortcomings in addressing the repeated incidents of misconduct, stating in a message that there were missed opportunities to intervene and rectify the situation sooner. The network has confirmed that it will not work with Wallace again in any capacity.

Philippa Childs, head of the creative industries union Bectu, has weighed in on the implications of the report, asserting that the findings reflect a longstanding issue of unchecked inappropriate conduct in the industry. She highlighted the vulnerability freelancers often feel when confronting harassment, especially when it stems from individuals in positions of authority.

Childs called for immediate action to eradicate misconduct in creative environments, underscoring that behaviors associated with misogyny, intimidation, and sexual harassment must be confronted decisively. She advocated for stronger accountability mechanisms and more supportive systems for those who witness or experience such misconduct in their workplaces.