Gregg Wallace rebuilds his career by sending personalized celebrity videos to fans after leaving the BBC in the United Kingdom

Gregg Wallace, the former MasterChef host, is finding a surprising way to recoup part of his hefty BBC salary by connecting directly with fans.

After leaving the BBC under a cloud of controversy, Wallace has joined Cameo, the celebrity video messaging platform, offering personalized clips for £40 each.

Fans can request messages for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or just for fun, with Wallace promising delivery within seven hours.

Sources suggest he is among the busiest celebrities on the site, potentially earning as much as £20,000 a month – over half of the £400,000 annual salary he previously drew at the BBC.

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From Television Fame to Digital Entrepreneurship

Wallace, 61, co-hosted MasterChef with John Torode for nearly 20 years, becoming a familiar face in British homes.

But last July, the BBC terminated his contract after an internal investigation upheld 45 complaints related to inappropriate language, humor, and physical contact.

While the investigation prompted his departure, Wallace now appears to be leveraging his public profile in a new way.

On Instagram, he promotes his Cameo services, posting playful reminders about upcoming occasions: “Have you forgotten Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry.

My average turnaround is seven hours so you’ve still got time – guys, we’ve got this.”

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Wallace’s Perspective on the Controversy

In recent months, Wallace has gone on the defensive regarding the allegations against him.

In a detailed Substack post, he described the 45 upheld complaints as a “pile-on” rather than a continuous pattern of misconduct over two decades.

He emphasized that only two complaints occurred during his actual 20-year tenure on the show, with the remaining 43 emerging after the initial allegations went public in late 2024.

Wallace also criticized the investigation process, stating it was “not a legal one” and likened it to an HR procedure rather than a court of law.

He claimed that an “open invitation” encouraged anyone who had ever interacted with him to share grievances, creating a situation where minor or misremembered incidents could escalate.

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Details on Complaints and Their Context

According to Wallace, the most serious allegations involved a single instance of touching at a party 17 years ago, which he believed was consensual, and three incidents of partial undress that the investigation itself deemed non-sexual.

The only post-2018 complaint concerned a question posed to a Celebrity MasterChef contestant about their eating habits.

Wallace characterized it as minor and overstated by someone who merely overheard it.

He urged the public to compare his account with media headlines, arguing that many stories about him had been sensationalized or found untrue during the investigation.

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A New Chapter on Cameo

Wallace’s move to Cameo represents a growing trend among former TV personalities who monetize their celebrity status through digital platforms.

Fans now have the chance to receive a piece of British television nostalgia while Wallace rebuilds his public persona on his own terms.

By providing quick, personalized messages, he can reach a wide audience while controlling the content and tone, a stark contrast to the scrutiny of primetime television.

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What’s Next?

While Wallace continues to generate income via Cameo, questions remain about his return to mainstream media.

Will the presenter attempt a comeback on television, or has the digital route become his primary platform? With fan interest high and social media engagement strong, a carefully managed public image could potentially pave the way for a future re-entry into broadcasting – albeit under much closer scrutiny.

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Summary

• Gregg Wallace, former MasterChef host, left the BBC after 45 upheld complaints of inappropriate behavior.

• He has joined Cameo, offering personalized videos for £40 each and potentially earning £20,000 monthly.

• Wallace defends himself, claiming most complaints predate 2018 and were overstated.

• His most serious allegations involved a single party incident and three instances of undress deemed non-sexual.

• He is actively engaging fans on Instagram and building a digital presence, raising questions about whether this marks a permanent shift away from traditional television.