Gregg Wallace declares ‘I will not go quietly’ as impact of MasterChef ‘sacking’ revealed

The star was rushed to hospital over the weekend with a ‘suspected heart attack’, it’s claimed

After Gregg Wallace shared a defiant statement following his axe from BBC show MasterChef, reports have now claimed that the chef was rushed to hospital and treated for a suspected heart attack.

Gregg’s departure from the show comes after an independent inquiry into his alleged behaviour apparently cleared the chef of “the most serious and sensational accusations” levelled at him.

The TV chef hit the headlines at the end of last year after allegations of inappropriate behaviour and language were made against him. As a result, Gregg stepped back from his hosting duties on MasterChef. And show bosses at Banijay – the production company that makes MasterChef – launched a probe. It hired law firm Lewis Silkin to conduct the inquiry.

Last night, in a statement on social media (July 8), Gregg hit out. He accused the BBC of “intending to platform legally unsafe accusations” about him ahead of the release of the findings of the inquiry. The report is officially due out on Thursday, but his legal team were given an early steer, according to insiders.

Hours after his post, the impact it’s taken on the chef’s health was also revealed…

Gregg Wallace shared a full statement after the results of the inquiry into his alleged behaviour were revealed (Credit: Splash News)

MasterChef star Gregg Wallace shares statement

In a lengthy statement last night, Gregg said: “After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others. I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations against me.

“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation,” he said.

Explaining his decision to make a statement, Gregg alleged: “My decision to go public now is also driven by the fact the BBC News division are intending to platform legally unsafe accusations, including claims which have already been investigated and not upheld by the BBC and found not credible by Silkins.”

He then claimed: “The BBC is no longer producing balanced and impartial public service journalism. This feels to me like BBC News is chasing slanderous clickbait rather than delivering impartial journalism.”

However, it should be pointed out that BBC News is editorially independent of the corporation.

Gregg Wallace issues apology over inappropriate language

Gregg then shared what he has – and crucially hasn’t – been found guilty of by the law firm.

He said: “To be clear, the Silkins report exonerates me of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year.”

Gregg then added: “It finds me primarily guilty of inappropriate language between 2005 and 2018.” Issuing an apology, Gregg then continued: “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.”

Gregg has been supported by his wife Anna (Credit: Splash News)

‘Nothing was done to protect me from a dangerous environment’

Explaining further, he said: “I was hired by the BBC and MasterChef as the cheeky greengrocer. A real person with warmth, character, rough edges and all.

“For over two decades, that authenticity was part of the brand. Now, in a sanitised world, that same personality is seen as a problem.”

I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience.

Gregg also hit out over a failure to offer a safe working environment for him, considering his neurodiversity.

“My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef. Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over 20 years.

“That failure is now being quietly buried.”

‘I will not go quietly’

Gregg then claimed that the full report – 200 pages – will never be seen. “Later this week, the BBC will publish a short Executive Summary,” he said.

Hinting that he has been sacked, Gregg then vowed: “I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest.”

A BBC spokesperson told us: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”

Heart attack fears

Hours later, The Sun reported that Gregg had been rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack as the probe came to its conclusion.

On Sunday (July 6), it’s claimed Gregg was taken to hospital in Ashford, Kent, close to where he lives, after two days of agonising chest pains. The star’s mum sadly died from a heart attack in March.

A source said that he told a pal: “The stress of this betrayal brought on my suspected heart attack. It’s been hell.”

They then alleged: “Gregg has been struggling with his mental health and was rushed to hospital over the weekend. Doctors have blamed stress, and he came out only to find out almost immediately he will lose his livelihood.”

ED! has contacted Gregg’s reps for comment.