Gregg Wallace

Gregg Allan Wallace was born on 17 October 1964. He is an English television presenter, entrepreneur and author. He gained widespread recognition as the host and judge of cooking shows such as MasterChef UK, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC One and BBC Two.

Gregg Wallace's biography

Gregg Wallace's life story is an example of how a man without academic education and with a difficult background was able to build a successful career in media and cooking. He went from being a vegetable seller at a market to one of the most recognisable television presenters in the United Kingdom. His biography is closely linked to the world of gastronomy, BBC television and the scandals that have affected his career. But at the heart of this story is a man who has managed to turn his energy and charisma into a long television career.

Childhood and youth

Gregg Allan Wallace was born on 17 October 1964 in Peckham, south London. His childhood was not an easy one. He grew up in a working-class family and was familiar with hard work from an early age. School did not come easily to him, and at the age of 15 he dropped out to start earning his own living. Gregg took his first steps into adulthood at Covent Garden Market, where he worked in a warehouse and traded fruit and vegetables. It was there that he learned the basics of business and realised that he had not only practical skills but also the ability to communicate with people.

Wallace had a difficult childhood. He openly talked about being a victim of abuse at the age of eight, but at the time he couldn't find the strength to talk about it. He later admitted that this event left a mark on his psyche, but also strengthened his character. Despite all the trials and tribulations, Gregg's youth was a time of growth.

Gregg Wallace's parents

Little is known about his parents, as Gregg tries not to reveal all the details of his personal family history. It is known that the Wallace family belonged to the working class. His father worked a regular job, and his mother ran the household. In his memoirs, Gregg mentioned that his parents were not wealthy and that he had to rely mainly on his own resources. It was thanks to this that he learned to value money at an early age and developed a habit of hard work.

The family atmosphere was far from ideal, but his relatives supported him in building his life as he saw fit. Later, after becoming famous, Wallace said that his parents could not give him a classical education or career protection. Everything he achieved was the result of personal perseverance, tenacity and the ability to seize every opportunity.

Gregg Wallace's career

Gregg Wallace's career is a story of how a man with no formal culinary training became one of the key figures on British television. His journey into the media began with a job in the fruit and vegetable trade, but he rose to fame thanks to his collaboration with the BBC. Over the years, Gregg has become a familiar face on MasterChef UK and other popular programmes.

TV show with Gregg Wallace

Gregg Wallace rose to fame in 2005 when he and Australian chef John Thorowood began hosting the revamped version of MasterChef UK. The dynamic duo quickly won the hearts of viewers, and Gregg, thanks to his charisma and straightforwardness, became the ‘voice of the public.’ His role was to represent the point of view of an ordinary foodie, rather than a professional with restaurant star status. Since then, MasterChef Wallace has participated in all versions of the franchise:

• MasterChef;
• Celebrity MasterChef;
• MasterChef The Professionals.

In addition, he hosted Eat Well for Less?, where he helped families save money on groceries, Inside the Factory, which revealed the secrets of manufacturing, and Supermarket Secrets, which uncovered the inner workings of British retail. Gregg has also appeared in holiday and documentary projects on Channel 5 and other channels.

However, his television career in recent years has been marred by fierce scandals and defences. After allegations of harassment, the BBC ended its collaboration with him, and new faces took his place on MasterChef.

Radio

In addition to television, Gregg Wallace has also made a name for himself on the radio. From 1998 to 2005, he was the regular host of Veg Talk on BBC Radio 4. The programme aired weekly and was a mixture of useful advice on proper nutrition, discussions with experts, and light-hearted conversations about cooking. His co-host was Charlie Hicks, with whom Wallace created an atmosphere of lively conversation and easy-going humour. The programme was popular because it combined professional knowledge about food with an accessible and friendly presentation.

Gregg Wallace's personal life

Gregg Wallace is a television star known for his energy and love of cooking. He has been married several times and has three children. In 2024–2025, he found himself at the centre of a high-profile scandal. Allegations of sexual harassment emerged, leading to a BBC investigation, and a significant number of the complaints (45 out of 83) were found to be substantiated. The story attracted media and public attention, becoming one of the most talked-about topics in recent years.

The allegations of sexual assault that surfaced in 2024 led to Wallace leaving MasterChef, numerous complaints being filed against him, his activities being investigated, and the BBC ending its collaboration with him after some of the complaints were confirmed.

Gregg Wallace's spouses

Gregg Wallace has been married four times, and his personal life has often been the subject of news stories and memes in the British press. His first marriage was to Christine in 1991, but it lasted only six weeks. Wallace later married Denise Lovell, with whom he lived for several years and had two children. In 2011, Gregg tied the knot with Heidi Brown, but this marriage also proved short-lived. True stability came only in his fourth marriage: in 2016, he married Anne-Marie Sterpini. Their story began unusually. The girl wrote to him on Twitter with a question about cooking, and the correspondence turned into a romance.

Despite the age difference of more than two decades, the couple quickly gained public recognition and appear harmonious. Anne-Marie is not only Wallace's spouse, but also his support in his career and in difficult moments, including scandals surrounding accusations.

Children

From his second marriage to Denise Lovell, he had a son and a daughter: Thomas (1994) and Libby (1997). He always emphasised that despite his divorce from their mother, he continued to be involved in raising his children and maintaining contact with them. Later, while married to Anne-Marie Sterpini, the couple had their long-awaited son, Sid, in 2019. Gregg said that having a child later in life changed his routine and outlook on life. He began to pay more attention to health, nutrition and sports. On social media, including Instagram, he often shares photos with his son and comments on his role as a father. His children from previous marriages are grown up and live independent lives, but Gregg remains an involved parent and emphasises that it is his family that helps him maintain balance in his busy television career.

Net worth

British media outlets estimate his net worth to be between £7 million and £10 million. Television is considered to be his main source of income. He has worked on MasterChef UK for many years, has contracts with the BBC, and participates in projects on Channel 5 and other channels. He also earns additional income as a cookbook author and corporate event host. In the past, Gregg owned the Wallace & Co and Gregg's Bar & Grill restaurant chains, as well as George Allan's Greengrocers, a large wholesale fruit and vegetable company with a turnover of millions of pounds.

Some businesses closed at a loss, as he himself admitted in an interview. Despite the financial difficulties and scandals of recent years, Wallace remains a wealthy man, and his fortune allows his family to live in their own castle in Kent. He has repeatedly emphasised that money is important to him not as a status symbol, but as a means of providing stability for his children and wife.

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