With Gregg Wallace stepping away from MasterChef following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, it's been announced that restaurant critic Grace Dent will judge the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode. Grace, 51, will judge the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef following news last month that Gregg will step away from the role amid an external review into historical allegations of misconduct. Author and podcaster Grace has appeared regularly as a guest on MasterChef, and last year was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics.
She said: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it. It’s all about uncovering and championing talent – and to have ended up in this position, is more than a dream to me. I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef. I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”
John, who has been a regular judge on MasterChef since 2005, added that he was happy with his new co-host. He said: “I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges.
“Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our wonderful production team, to us as judges.
“The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and that unquestionable expertise, makes Grace the perfect person to step in alongside me as judge for the forthcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.”
Fans of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! will remember that Grace appeared in last year's series. Sadly Grace didn't last long in the Australian jungle and had to leave the show after one week for medical reasons. Grace has previously made regular appearances on MasterChef and Celebrity MasterChef but will make her debut alongside John as the host in the next series.
This comes after Gregg has stepped away from the series following allegations from multiple women of inappropriate behaviour, including Newsnight star Kirsty Wark. As a result of the claims, Banijay UK, the show's production company, revealed it would be launching an external review looking at historical allegations of misconduct.
The most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals continued to air amid the allegations against Gregg. However, two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials, a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza have been pulled from the BBC’s festive schedule.
Gregg's lawyers previously told the BBC “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
