Gregg Wallace is expected to tell independent investigators that his sexually “inappropriate behaviour” could be linked to undiagnosed autism.
Last week, the TV chef was forced to step down from his BBC role on MasterChef after a letter was sent to the broadcaster setting out allegations of “sexual comments” by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
Although Wallace has denied the claims, his friends are convinced that he suffers from a neurodiversity condition that explains his behaviour.
Wallace’s lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Masterchef’s production company Banijay UK has launched an investigation and said Wallace is co-operating.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, has also come forward and alleged that he told “sexualised” jokes during filming.
According to The Telegraph, there is little chance of Wallace returning to the BBC, with corporation bosses and viewers were alarmed by the deluge of complaints.
However, the 60-year-old is reportedly desperate to salvage his disgraced reputation, with the investigation’s findings being critical if he wants to continue his work on screens.
As a result of the scandals, the corporation has cancelled two festive episodes which featured celebrities including The Wanted singer Max George, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, reality star Luca Bish and comedian Shazia Mira.
It also pulled the higly anticipated MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganzam was due to feature Strictly Come Dancing‘s Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu, with Motsi Mabuse setting a challenge.
As viewers await the findings of the investigation, a source claimed its likely Wallace will raise the possibility he has autism with Lewis Silkin, the London law firm hired by Banijay and he has friends willing to say the same thing in support of his case.
One source told the outlet: “We think Gregg has an undiagnosed condition, probably autism. If you look at symptoms of autism, he seems to fit those. The symptoms fit him. He tells inappropriate jokes, but it’s never been malicious. He just doesn’t understand that sometimes the jokes he tells just aren’t funny.”
Wallace’s friend claimed: “It’s clear to me he probably has to work with a level of neurodiversity.”
As another insider said: “Many people close to him have over the years suggested he exhibits characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder.”