F ormer MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is facing criticism from charities and groups working with disabled people after he appeared to link claims of misconduct he is facing to his autism diagnosis.

Autism is "not a free pass for bad behaviour", a spokesman for the charity Neurodiversity in Business told the BBC, and Wallace's latest defence will "stigmatise" autistic people and "add an unfortunate negative focus on our community".

Gregg Wallace cannot wear underpants because of his autism, it has been claimed. The presenter is said to have an exaggerated sensory experience that has led to an “inability to wear underwear because of his autistic hypersensitivity to labels and tight clothing”, a friend told The Times.

According to the BBC, 50 more people have approached them with fresh claims about former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace, including an allegation of groping, which he strongly denies

Gregg Wallace’s friends have claimed that the former MasterChef star’s autism diagnosis is partly to blame for his inappropriate behaviour. The 60-year-old former greengrocer was this week sacked from the BBC cooking show amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct during his time as a presenter.

Autistic traits like sensory sensitivity, differences in communication and challenges with social boundaries are real’

Former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace has been accused of using his recent diagnosis to excuse his behaviour, having been accused by over 50 people of misconduct