Gregg Wallace, the 61-year-old former MasterChef host, has addressed speculation that he is selling his £1 million Kent mansion under financial duress, explaining instead that the move is part of a deliberate downsizing. Wallace, who left the BBC last July following a workplace misconduct investigation,revealed on Instagram that he has been covering bills through the personalized video site Cameo and plans to buy a modest house in Yorkshire while spending five months a year in Italy with his wife and seven-year-old autistic son.

A dropped lawsuit and a £10,000 claim that never reached court

According to reports, Wallace sued the BBC for up to £10,000 in damages over data protection issues but dropped the claim in February. That legal action, coming on the heels of his dismissal, added to public speculation about his finances. Wallace has not detailed the outcome of the misconduct investigation, but his decision to walk away from the lawsuit suggests a desire to move on rather than litigate further.

The £1 million listing of his Kent home, purchased in 2017, now marks the end of a chapter that included a high-profile TV career and a messy public exit.

Cameo at £38.05 per fan: how a TV personality pays the bills

Wallace signed up to Cameo in December, offering personalized videos to fans for £38.05 and to businesses for £342.47, with direct messages starting at £2.28.. In his Instagram video, he stated, “I may not be as wealthy as before, but I’ve been earning money through Cameo to cover my bills.” The pricing strategy — relatively accessible for a former household name — signals a shift from a salaried BBC personality to a gig-economy content creator.

As the source notes, Wallace has been open about his financial situation since his departure, a departure common among public figures trying to control a narrative that often veers toward the sensational.

Italy for five months, Yorkshire for family: the new geography of Wallace's life

Wallace and his wife, Anne-Marie, who is Italian, plan to buy a “much more modest” house in Yorkshire near his daughter, and then spend five months each year renting in Italy. He told followers, “We’re decluttering the house and putting it on the market… It’s quite an adventure.” Wallace also plans to homeschool his son Sid, who is autistic and non-verbal, with help from autism specialists.

This dual-location plan — modest in Yorkshire, transient in Italy — represents a significant change from the single-family Kent estate.... Wallace emphasized that the move is about “a lifestyle that’s easily affordable, and all the pressure is off,” rather than a fire sale.

What remains unanswered about the BBC misconduct allegations

While Wallace has been transparent about his finances, the source does not address the specifics of the workplace misconduct allegations that led to his dismissal last July. he was investigated by the BBC, but no further public details have emerged about the findings or any disciplinary action. the opacity of that process leaves a significant gap: viewers and fans know why he left the show in a broad sense, but not what exactly was alleged or concluded.

Without that information, the narrative of a “new chapter” — however sincere — also serves as a way to redirect attention away from the professional fallout that triggered the change.