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Former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace is studying to be an autism coach after discontinuing a High Court claim against the BBC for 'distress and harassment' following his high profile sacking.
Wallace was dismissed by the broadcasting giant last July following an investigation into 83 historical allegations of workplace misconduct, with 45 accusations against him subsequently upheld.
The former presenter later sued the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited for up to £10,000 in damages over allegations they failed to disclose his personal data, which caused him 'distress and harassment,' before dropping his claim in February.
Inspired by six-year old son Sid, who is autistic and nonverbal, Wallace is now channeling his time into teaching children and adults diagnosed with the condition to live self-sufficient lives.
It's the latest in a series of online ventures for the ex-presenter, who has also earned money through personalised video messages and promotional videos - most recently for a range of non-stick ceramic pans.
In a video recently shared on his TikTok account, Gregg appeared in high spirits as he plugged the cookware, declaring them the 'best non-stick I've used'.
Former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace is studying to be an autism coach after discontinuing a High Court claim against the BBC for 'distress and harassment' following his sacking
Addressing Instagram followers on Tuesday, he confirmed: 'I'm studying to be an autism coach and I am learning many things. One of the things I've learnt is autism should not be seen as a deficit.
'Yes, of course there are challenges, undoubtedly, but every single autistic person has unique strengths, strengths that can and should be built upon.'
Wallace previously insisted that only two complaints were ever raised during his 20-year tenure, with the remaining 43 upheld claims emerging only after 'sensationalised (and untrue)' initial allegations became public in late 2024.
In a Substack post shared in January, he claimed the investigation process was 'not a legal one' and that 'the standard of proof would not stand up in a court of law', comparing it instead to an internal human resources (HR) process.
Wallace alleged an 'open invitation' was sent out asking anyone who had 'ever worked with me (or met me) to come forward and tell their stories' after his reputation was already 'being dragged through the mud'.
The former presenter, who co-hosted MasterChef with John Torode, 60, for nearly 20 years, pointed out that he had interacted with 'tens of thousands of people' over his career, including six new contestants every filming day, changing film crews, other show participants, and attendees at charity events and industry parties.
'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,' he wrote. 'Do you think you would survive without any complaints being made against you?'
He claimed that 'all but one' of the 45 upheld complaints dated from before 2018, when he says he received a formal warning about his language.
A preliminary hearing into his claim for £10,000 in damages was cancelled shortly before it was due to take place on February 16, with a BBC spokesperson later confirming that Wallace had discontinued the claim.
They said: 'Shortly in advance of a hearing, due February 16, Mr Wallace discontinued his claim.
'He is not receiving any payment in costs or damages from either BBC or BBC Studios.'
Inspired by six-year old son Sid, who is autistic and nonverbal, Wallace is now channeling his time into teaching children and adults diagnosed with the condition to live self-sufficient lives (pictured with son Sid)
The presenter, who was axed from MasterChef last July in the wake of the allegations, insisted that only two complaints were ever raised during his 20-year tenure
Wallace began co-presenting MasterChef in 2005, but it was announced in November 2024 that he would step away from his role while the misconduct allegations were investigated.
A review by law firm Lewis Silkin later upheld 45 of the 83 allegations against him, which mostly occurred between 2005 and 2018 and included one of 'unwelcome physical contact'.
It said the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'.
Wallace issued an apology saying he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate'.
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