Gregg Wallace attempts food show comeback with 12-hour TikTok 'cookathon' sponsored by 'Britain's favourite halal butchers'
Gregg Wallace appears to have made an attempt to relaunch his career on social media as he gears up to host a 12-hour TikTok 'cookathon' sponsored by 'Britain's favourite halal butchers'.The ex-MasterChef host, 61, who was dismissed by the BBC last July following a probe into 83 historical allegations of workplace misconduct, 45 of which were upheld, is taking part in a 12-hour 'cookathon' with Malik Butchers. Wallace is set to collaborate with the Wolverhampton business, which describes itself as 'Britain's favourite halal butchers' as well as the home of the 'UK's most expensive halal sarnie', on Sunday. 'I'm excited to announce a brand new live cookery show on TikTok, Gregg's Kitchen, and it will showcase on Sunday,' he said, adding that the show would include 'amazing dishes', 'incredible guests' and 'very good offers' from the platform's shop. In a separate post on Facebook, Manny Malik, who runs the butchers alongside his brother, Adnaan, told the grocer that the moment had arrived for a cooking show 'where you can interact and even buy the foods that are being cooked'.Wallace appears to have made a bid at launching a social media career, with several plugs on his TikTok account, workout videos as well as making personalised clips on Cameo. In one of his latest posts, he divulged that he had been 'forced to change [his] life at 60' after losing his job, income, earnings and having several 'sleepless nights'.He added: 'But I’m not looking for sympathy. The lesson here is that we can all rebuild at any age' Gregg Wallace (picutred in 2024) is set to collaborate with Malik Butchers on a 12-hour TikTok 'cookathon' The ex-MasterChef host, 61, was dismissed by the BBC last July following a probe into 83 historical allegations of workplace misconduct, 45 of which were upheldIt comes as he a series of allegations were made against the TV host in 2024, with several celebrities among those who made claims against him, including Vanessa Feltz and Kirstie Allsopp. At the time, Wallace refuted the accusations as being launched by a 'handful of women of a certain age'. He was later sacked by the broadcaster after a review by law firm Lewis Silkin 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'.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.It comes as Wallace is now channelling his time into teaching children and adults diagnosed with the condition to live self-sufficient lives after being inspired by his son, Sid, six, who is autistic and nonverbal. Addressing Instagram followers in March, 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.' 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 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.An allegation Wallace's Masterchef co-host John Torode used racist language was also upheld by Lewis Silkin report. Meanwhile, the BBC said the 60-year-old's contract was not renewed due to the use of 'an extremely offensive racist term' in the workplace. Torode has denied the claim, stating that he could not remember the incident and does not believe it happened. The former TV host also appears to have launched a social media career after leaving the broadcaster, sharing episodes of his own YouTube cookery show alongside his wife and former Celebrity Masterchef winner, Lisa Faulkner. Meanwhile, in a Substack post shared in January, Wallace claimed the probe against him 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 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.'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.The Daily Mail has approached Gregg Wallace's representatives for comment.
