MasterChef's Gregg Wallace Ambitious About Autism ambassador

The TV presenter and wife Anna visited Ambitious About Autism's headqarters in Woodside Avenue, Muswell Hill, to spend a day with pupils and staff at the charity's TreeHouse School.

He said the subject was "close to my heart" because their four-year-old son Sid is non-verbal with autism.

Ambitious about Autism Chief Executive Jolanta Lasota, Anna Wallace, Gregg Wallace and Head of TreeHouse School Joanna Dziopa at the special school in Muswell Hill. (Image: Courtesy of Ambitious About Autism)

"I am thrilled to be Ambitious about Autism’s new ambassador. As a parent to my wonderful autistic son, Sid, this charity is very close to my heart," said Wallace, who first revealed his son's diagnosis last July.

"I was lucky enough to see first hand the charity’s amazing work at its pioneering TreeHouse School – and it was a joy to spend time with pupils and their dedicated staff.

"Autistic children and young people and their families face many challenges and that’s why Ambitious about Autism’s work is so vital. I’m really looking forward to working with the charity to break down barriers, increase autism acceptance and ensure young people can reach their potential in education, employment and beyond."

The charity and school grew from The TreeHouse Trust, founded in 1997 by a group of parents including the author Nick Hornby. From small beginnings in a room in Hampstead's Royal Free Hospital with five children, they moved to Muswell Hill in 2004, and opened a purpose designed school in 2008 for autistic pupils aged three to 19 from across London where they receive specialist support through a team of qualified teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists and behaviour specialists.

Famed for his sweet tooth, Gregg helped primary pupils decorate biscuits they had baked for his arrival, and visited the Saplings project, where pupils grow and sell organic produce.

After helping to pot blackberry plants, the former greengrocer was then presented with a hamper of produce grown by pupils.

Gregg Wallace MBE helped to pot out blackberry plants and decorate biscuits the children had baked for his visit. (Image: Courtesy of Ambitious About Autism)

Ambitious about Autism chief executive Jolanta Lasota said she was "grateful" for Gregg's support for the charity’s mission to champion rights, campaign for change, and create opportunities for autistic children and young people across the UK.

She said: "As a parent, Gregg has a deep personal connection with autism which makes him a fantastic advocate for autistic children and young people. Together we will increase public understanding and acceptance of autism to ensure autistic children and young people can be themselves and realise their ambitions."

The Pears National Centre for Autism Education is at Woodside Avenue, London N10.