A series of catastrophic failures

Media Watch – Autism in the news

This post discusses verbal abuse. If this may upset you, please don’t read further.

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Gregg Wallace, the former MasterChef presenter, has been let go from the show after 50 new allegations were reported on the BBC website on July 8. Out of 83 total allegations, 45 have been upheld, mainly regarding sexist comments, but also including racist remarks, being undressed, and inappropriate touching.

Wallace has apologised, stating he is “deeply sorry for any distress” and that he “never meant to harm or humiliate.” However, his apology has drawn criticism from charities and groups that support disabled people.

Outside the BBC, which aired MasterChef, the reaction has been less tolerant; ITV News called it “A series of catastrophic failures.”

The BBC has taken a careful approach, quoting some autistic individuals who criticise Wallis’s actions, while others highlight the challenges of living with undiagnosed autism. The BBC reported that MasterChef’s producers, Banijay UK, called in a legal team to investigate the allegations, and this team upheld the 45 claims. However, it hasn’t been revealed who the legal team is or their specific role in the investigation. I wish the BBC was clearer in its reporting.

My view is that there is a need for compassion for things autistics do and say when in or close to meltdown and shutdown. However, Wallace’s alleged string of misogynistic comments and actions appears to have nothing to do with either shutdown or meltdown. We autistics are as capable of doing bad things as anyone else. When we do, we have to accept the consequences of our actions and own the behaviour. As one unnamed charity told the BBC, autism is “not a free pass for bad behaviour”. On the other hand, others have pointed out that by using undiscovered autism as an excuse, Wallace may be stigmatising the autistic community that already suffers from misunderstandings.

We need to find a way that is compassionate to Gregg Wallace in coming to terms with these upheld allegations. The people who need our compassion the most are those who were abused or offended by Wallace’s behaviour.

When I wrote this, the BBC had not decided whether to broadcast the next series of MasterChef. Well, it is on TV now. I initially wrote, “I believe the contestants should decide, and if they wish it to be shown, the BBC should ask Banijay UK to re-edit to reduce Wallace’s screen time.”

The show is now being shown with both the sacked presenters. Only one contestant will not be shown, with the official line being that they have asked to be edited out. Sources other than the BBC have claimed that the contestant did not ask to be edited out but asked for the series to be scrapped. I have not found any evidence for either allegation.