Gregg Wallace is suing the BBC and one of its subsidiaries after he was sacked in July following an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct
Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is pursuing up to £10,000 in damages from the BBC and one of its subsidiaries, claiming he suffered “distress and harassment” after the broadcaster failed to provide him with personal data, according to court documents.
Mr Wallace is taking legal action against the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution Limited following his dismissal in July. His sacking came after an investigation into historical misconduct allegations, which reportedly substantiated multiple claims against him.
Neither the BBC nor BBC Studios have yet filed a defence to the legal claim.
Court documents obtained by the PA news agency reveal that barrister Lawrence Power, representing Mr Wallace, stated the former host had sought “personal data” from the BBC and BBC Studios relating to “his work, contractual relations and conduct.”
According to the papers, Mr Wallace submitted subject access requests (SARs) to both organisations on March 6. Under data protection law, such requests should normally be handled within a month, though this timeframe can be extended in cases involving complex information, Mr Power explained.
The documents claim that the BBC and BBC Studios failed to respond to Mr Wallace’s requests in a timely manner, which he argues caused him unnecessary distress.
Mr Wallace, who became a household name through his decades on the popular cooking competition, is seeking compensation of up to £10,000 for the alleged distress and harassment he experienced due to the delays in providing the requested data.
A BBC spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings, while Mr Wallace’s legal team confirmed the action is now underway.
This legal move comes months after the broadcaster concluded an investigation into alleged historical misconduct, which led to the termination of Mr Wallace’s long-running role on MasterChef. The broadcaster has said previously that it takes all allegations seriously and that it operates in line with internal policies and legal obligations.
As the case develops, attention will focus on how the BBC handles personal data requests from current and former employees, and whether delays in responding can lead to compensation claims.
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