Gregg Wallace, 60, shares he 'thought about suicide' amid wave of accusations as former BBC presenter breaks silence

Wallace, who had built a 20-year career working with thousands of contestants and crew members across various MasterChef programmes, described feeling "under attack" as allegations mounted against him.

Last year, multiple women came forward to accuse Wallace of "inappropriate" sexual behaviour.

The outrage surrounding Wallace's comments was so significant that even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned his words as "completely inappropriate and misogynistic."

Wallace recalled his late mother's concerned phone call as he talked to MailOnline.

He recounted how she had asked: "'Love, what's going on? The Prime Minister's talking about you. Who have you upset? Why are they picking on you?'"

The chef remembered how he had responded: "'I've said something really stupid. They're investigating my behaviour, but more and more people are coming forward with complaints about me.

"'Mum, they're not all true. I haven't done these things.'"

Wallace described feeling completely isolated during the scandal, saying: "Nobody from the BBC contacted me once these stories started breaking absolutely nobody at all."

GB News has contacted the BBC regarding Wallace's comments.

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The presenter faced mounting pressure as allegations continued to emerge.

He recalled the "tidal wave of abuse" online and floods of reports waiting for him at his home.

Wallace also told the publication he felt abandoned as his reputation was being destroyed.

Among the accusations was one from Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, who claimed Wallace had told "sexualised" jokes during the filming of Celebrity MasterChef in 2011.

Wallace maintains he was never aware that he had offended her until her complaint became public.

Reflecting on the impact on his mental health, Wallace continued: "You don't sleep. Your chest races.

"Your body feels like it's shutting down because it can't cope with the levels of stress. You feel really dirty and horrible because everybody is saying you're a pervert."

Addressing his controversial response at the time, in which he branded his accusers "middle class women of a certain age," Wallace admitted the decision was "the biggest mistake but, by far, the best thing I could have done".

This outburst finally prompted contact from a MasterChef executive, ending his isolation.

"He was the first person I'd spoken to in days. Nobody should be left on their own to face something like this," he added.

Wallace revealed the extent of his suicidal thoughts during this period, sharing: "I thought about suicide all the time: 'Is my insurance up to date? Will Anna get some money? She doesn't deserve this. It would be better if I wasn't here.'"

Eventually, Banijay UK arranged for a crisis mentor to support him, whom Wallace described as "the life raft" he "clung to".

The mentor insisted Wallace undergo a mental health screening, which led to him being diagnosed with profound autism.

Wallace stepped down from hosting MasterChef alongside John Torode in November after multiple complaints of inappropriate behaviour on set.

The BBC and production company Banijay UK launched formal investigations into the claims.

Wallace's lawyers have vehemently denied any accusations of sexual harassment, stating it is "entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature".