Gregg Wallace, the former MasterChef host, announces the sale of his £1 million Kent home as he seeks to downsize following his dismissal from the BBC show. The 61-year-old property, purchased in 2017, spans five acres with stables and a pond.

Reasons for Downsizing

Wallace shares on Instagram that he can no longer maintain his previous lifestyle. He states, ‘I can’t have the life I used to have but whether you chose to believe it or not, I really wanted to come out of that anyway, but obviously not in the dramatic way that I did.’

The decision aims for a slower pace and financial security for his younger wife, Anne-Marie, 38, and their six-year-old son, Sid, who has autism. Wallace explains, ‘I want to ease off a little bit, I want to relax a little bit… I’ve got a wife that is much younger than me and a special needs little boy, Sid.’ He adds, ‘I want to relax a bit but I also want to make sure I can have a certain lifestyle and that I leave a legacy for my family. That’s not easy to do.’

Plans include selling the large home for a more modest one, reducing work hours, and spending half the year in Italy for family adventures.

Background on BBC Departure

The BBC dismissed Wallace last July after reviewing 83 historical workplace misconduct allegations, upholding 45. Most dated before 2018 and involved inappropriate sexual language, humor, other language issues, and one case of unwelcome physical contact.

Wallace co-hosted MasterChef with John Torode for nearly 20 years starting in 2005. He stepped away in November 2024 during the investigation.

He pursued a £10,000 damages claim against the BBC and BBC Studios for alleged data disclosure failures causing distress, but discontinued it in February. A BBC spokesperson confirms, ‘Shortly in advance of a hearing due February 16, Gregg discontinued his claim. He is not receiving any payment in costs or damages from either BBC or BBC Studios.’

New Ventures and Reflections

Inspired by Sid, who is autistic and nonverbal, Wallace trains as an autism coach to help children and adults achieve self-sufficiency.

He earns through personalized video messages and promotions, including recent non-stick ceramic pans. In a January Substack post, he describes the BBC process as an internal HR review rather than a legal one, noting an ‘open invitation’ for complaints after his reputation faced scrutiny.

Wallace highlights interactions with ‘tens of thousands’ over his career, including contestants, crews, and event attendees, questioning complaint volumes. He notes all but one upheld complaint predated a 2018 formal warning on language.

Wallace apologizes, stating he is ‘deeply sorry for any distress caused’ and never intended to harm or humiliate anyone.