Grace Dent is set to replace Gregg Wallace as a judge on BBC’s Celebrity Masterchef, amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct against him.
The 51-year-old, who has regularly appeared as a guest on the show, will join John Torode on the judging panel for the upcoming 20th series.
Grace Dent, who was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics last year, expressed her excitement about her new role, saying: “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.”
She continued: “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’m looking forward to meeting the new celebrity contestants for 2025.”
John Torode, who has presented MasterChef since 2005, welcomed Grace to the show, saying: “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.”
He added: “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.”
BBC’s head of entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, announced: “Grace Dent is the perfect choice to step in for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef.
“Grace is not only an energetic and well-established member of the MasterChef team, but is also a world renowned food critic, so she will certainly keep the next batch of celebrities on their toes.”
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This development follows the launch of an investigation by the show’s production company, Banijay UK, after multiple women accused TV judge Gregg of allegedly groping or harassing them.
Banijay UK has expressed its commitment to “committed to fully co-operating” with the ongoing review. Gregg’s legal representatives have strongly refuted the allegations, stating it’s “entirely ‘false’ that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, and Gregg himself has firmly denied all claims against him.
Despite Gregg’s strong denial of any wrongdoing, the 60-year-old is reportedly resigned to being let go, as previously reported. A source in the TV industry commented: “Grace is the perfect choice to replace Gregg on Masterchef.”
They continued: “She’s knowledgeable about food and opinionated, plus it’s great to have a woman as a judge on the show. It will shake things up and give the series the boost it needs after such an upsetting and uncertain time.
“She is already a fan favourite and has won lots of respect in the foodie world thanks to her no-nonsense style and sense of humour.”
“Bosses love her already, know she is a safe pair of hands and trust her to help steer the ship with John to steadier waters,” the source added to The Sun.
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