Gregg Wallace reveals the 'troubling' realities of raising four-year-old son Sid who is autistic and non-verbal: 'We want to understand his world'

Gregg Wallace has revealed the ‘troubling’ realities of raising four-year-old son Sid, who is autistic and non-verbal.

The MasterChef host, 59, said that despite the barriers he and wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 37, are doing everything they can to ‘understand their son’s world’ as much as possible.

Speaking to The Sun Gregg explained that while Sid, who was diagnosed with autism in 2022, is unable to speak and still wears nappies his communication skills were improving, leaving the couple ‘optimistic’.

‘There’s lots of eye contact and smiles, and a cuddle is Sid’s default position’.

However Gregg went on to say how he was ‘troubled’ by his son not being able to express his feelings.

Gregg Wallace, 59, has revealed the ‘troubling’ realities of raising four-year-old son Sid, who is autistic and non-verbal

The MasterChef host said that despite the barriers he and wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, 37, are doing everything they can to ‘understand their son’s world’ as much as possible.

Telling the publication: ‘When he’s unhappy, he can’t tell us. If he’s scared or unwell, he can’t tell us’.

‘That’s quite nerve-racking for a parent’.

In July Gregg told the Daily Mail about his close bond with his son. Speaking about Sid’s development, Gregg admitted: ‘Sid is four years old, Sid is autistic, Sid is non-verbal.’

‘He’s still in nappies. He doesn’t use cutlery. His choice of foods is very limited, but he’s a beautiful boy.

‘Luckily we don’t have many sensory issues. He enjoys play, he enjoys cuddles. And we’re seeing more and more interaction, which is giving us hope. And that’s all we need.’

Gregg spoke for the first time about how Sid’s physical contact with his parents was improving.

The TV star explained  ‘As soon as they’re making contact, you want to give praise, hold their hand, look at their face, put on a show. Make it exciting, so they want to stay in your world and not retreat back into theirs. It’s hard, but it’s working so far.’

‘Sid lies down on a rug with his iPad, rocking backwards and forwards. When they’re retreating, you retreat with them. I get down on the rug about three feet away from him and do exactly the same as he’s doing.’

Gregg explained that while Sid, who was diagnosed with autism in 2022, is unable to speak and still wears nappies his communication skills were improving, leaving the couple ‘optimistic’

However Gregg went on to say how he was ‘troubled’ by his son not being able to express his feelings

‘He’s started coming over, lying beside me, putting his hand on my arm or his head on my shoulder. It’s great. We have no idea how far this is going to go, but we’re going to keep trying, because we’re seeing a difference in him already.’

Anna has spent the second half of 2023 taking an online course with American experts to understand how best to engage with Sid.

‘She’s learning how to coach him, not to cure or reverse his autism, but coach him to communicate, possibly speak,’ Gregg explained.

A viewer rang in to tell him about the US approach after he mentioned Sid on a recent episode of Loose Women. ‘I’ve started instigating different play methods and interactions with Sid and we are seeing progress.’

Early last year Gregg announced a major career change, quitting his hit show Inside The Factory to support Sid and help Anna find the right education setting for their son.

Early last year Gregg announced a major career change, quitting his hit show Inside The Factory to support Sid and help Anna find the right education setting for their son

Gregg, a former greengrocer, described Sid as a ‘lovely, lovely little boy’ with a ‘wonderful mother’ but admitted ‘it’s not easy’

Gregg, a former greengrocer, described Sid as a ‘lovely, lovely little boy’ with a ‘wonderful mother’ but admitted ‘it’s not easy’.

The MasterChef host conceded that filming the show involves a lot of travelling away from his family as he visits factories spanning the country.

‘So I’ve made a decision that I’m actually not going to do Inside The Factory any more,’ the star said.

‘Right now, we need to find education for him and I can’t just leave that to Anna – that’s a big, big decision.

‘I mean, all parents worry about the schools that children will go to. Ours is even more highlighted because of poor little Sid’s issues.’