Banijay UK release findings of Gregg Wallace investigation
Comments Off on Banijay UK release findings of Gregg Wallace investigationFollowing allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Gregg Wallace made by BBC News, The Telegraph and other media outlets, Banijay UK, producers of MasterChef and Eat Well for Less, commissioned leading UK law firm Lewis Silkin to investigate in December 2024.
Anyone wishing to discuss their experiences whilst working or appearing on Banijay UK produced shows was publicly encouraged to contact the investigation team in confidence via a dedicated email address which was widely communicated. Banijay UK and the BBC directed anyone with information or complaints to Lewis Silkin, who also proactively contacted a number of people who had made allegations to the press.
Over a seven-month period, the investigation heard 83 allegations against Gregg Wallace from 41 complainants – all relating to his time as a presenter on MasterChef.
Via an extensive process of interviews (the team spoke to 78 witnesses) and analysis of relevant documentation and unedited programme footage, the investigation substantiated 45 of the allegations against Gregg Wallace. Just over half.
The team were also asked to investigate allegations against other people involved with the productions, as well as to examine the process of making a complaint whilst working on the productions and the way complaints made were handled by both the production team and the BBC. The investigation spanned the period from 2005 to 2024.
A summary of headline findings are as follows:
- 45 of the 83 allegations against Mr Wallace were substantiated
- The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94%) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. Only one allegation was substantiated post 2018. (Banijay acquired Endemol Shine in 2020.)
- The majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. A smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.
- There were also 10 standalone allegations about other people in relation to the period from 2012 to 2018/2019, 2 of which were substantiated
- The investigation team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024 6 complaints were raised with the production company and 6 with the BBC (4 of which had also been raised with the production company). More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017.
- Prior to 2016 (when Endemol merged with Shine) the investigation found that there was little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures in place, leading to underreporting of inappropriate behaviour. The report found that freelance staff in particular often felt unable to raise issues due to concerns of potential impact on future employment. The investigation found that HR processes and training improved significantly post 2016 (when Endemol merged with Shine) and again in 2020 (when Banijay acquired Endemol Shine).
- The investigation found that where concerns were reported to the production company, especially in earlier periods 2005 – 2011, they were often handled informally and on a case-by-case basis with no records of action having been taken, resulting in the effectiveness of the reporting and action not being adequately assessed.
- It also found that there was no consolidated or centrally held information within the BBC on concerns raised with the broadcaster resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.
Whilst Banijay UK will not be providing further detail on the individual allegations, the number of sustained allegations make Gregg Wallace’s return to MasterChef untenable.
Details around the two substantiated complaints regarding other individuals have been referred to Banijay UK who are reviewing and will address appropriately.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: “I’d like to thank Lewis Silkin for a thorough and detailed report which is the culmination of 7 months of extensive interviews and analysis. It provides much needed clarity on issues spanning almost 20 years. Whilst it makes for uncomfortable reading, highlighting failures in legacy reporting and HR procedures, it also provides valuable insight to ensure that going forward everyone working on our productions feels safe and supported, and that inappropriate behaviour is quickly and professionally dealt with.
Ways of reporting concerns whilst working on our productions, protocols around behaviour and training for both cast and crew, have improved exponentially in recent years and I’m encouraged that this is acknowledged in the report. We constantly review welfare procedures across our productions to ensure that they are as robust as they can be. Banijay Entertainment already has a confidential speak up line for those wishing to raise issues, however we will be rolling out an additional externally run whistle blowing service across all our productions with immediate effect. This will not only provide additional external routes to raise issues or concerns but will also provide independent support and advice to cast and crew.
In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff. The report also highlights a reluctance by production staff to raise issues or concerns, contributing to an underreporting at that time. As a business, and as an industry reliant on freelance roles, we need to continually address how we create environments where people feel safe and supported so issues can be addressed. Banijay UK fully supports the BBC’s recently announced Respect at Work guidance.
Whilst acknowledging Mr Wallace’s autism diagnosis, which is relevant to certain behaviours identified in the report and accepting that the production could have done more to identify, manage and communicate patterns of inappropriate behaviour, the volume and consistency of substantiated allegations, ranging between 2005 and 2024, make Gregg Wallace’s return to MasterChef untenable.
We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed.
MasterChef is a much-loved show which year in, year out, changes the lives and careers of contestants, amateur and professional alike. It’s made by a brilliant team of outstanding professionals, and we look forward to bringing more exceptional cooking to screens in the coming months and years.”
Notes to Editors:
- MasterChef is produced by Shine TV, part of Banijay UK
- Endemol and Shine merged in 2016
- Banijay Entertainment acquired Endemol Shine in 2020
- Duty of care and safeguarding protocols on our productions have been significantly enhanced and honed over the years with notable enhancements made in 2016 and 2020. Support measures across all our productions include:
- Access to confidential advice and support via a third-party Employee Assistance Programme widely advertised to staff.
- Production startup meetings attended by an HR and Legal representative where expectations of behaviour, escalation and whistleblowing policies are shared and promoted.
- HR contact details on call sheets.
- Information on how to raise concerns provided at multiple points via start up meetings, posters and training sessions.
- Banijay Entertainment confidential Speak Up line and website where people can (anonymously) report issues and concerns.
- A Safeguarding Rep appointed on all Banijay UK productions, and access to a confidential representative to support individuals should they wish in any reporting matters.
- Mandatory respect at work training.
- All staff, including freelancers, are asked to undertake training around anti bullying and harassment, inclusion.
- All productions use and promote the Film and TV Charity’s ‘Whole Picture Programme toolkit’ which provides tools and resources to support mental health. The charity’s help and support line is also promoted on productions.
- HR guidance for line managers and Heads of Department.
- Banijay Entertainment Code of Conduct promoted globally.
- Gregg Wallace was a presenter on MasterChef between 2005 and 2024. He was a judge and presenter across all three series – MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and Celebrity MasterChef.
- During this time, he came into contact with over 2500 contestants.
- Gregg Wallace was also a presenter on RDF (part of Banijay UK) produced show Eat Well for Less in 2019.
- Gregg Wallace was employed on a series-by-series contract by the individual production companies within Banijay UK – Shine TV and RDF.
- MasterChef is currently in production with series 18 of MasterChef: The Professionals. Series 22 of MasterChef goes into production in the autumn. Celebrity MasterChef series 20 was recorded earlier this year. Series 21 of MasterChef has been delivered to the BBC.
- Production moved to Birmingham from London in Autumn 2024 bringing 130 new roles and making 65 hours of primetime TV from the city.
- BBC and Shine announced a multi series, 6-year deal for MasterChef in 2022.