Grace Dent has now been announced to step in as judge for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef.
Dent will be joining John Torode on the BBC programme following the news last month that former judge, Gregg Wallace, would step away from the role following an investigation into past allegations of misconduct.
The award-winning restaurant critic has been a regular guest on MasterChef for over a decade now and also competed as a contestant on last year’s MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023.
Preparing to take on the exciting new role, Dent said: "I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it.
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"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."
Torode is clearly also thrilled to be working alongside Dent, saying: "I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years.
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"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."
MasterChef Executive Editor, David Ambler, continued: "Grace’s expertise, wit and finely honed palette will be great asset to the judging lineup and the celebrities will need to be sitting up straight for this series.
"We’re looking forward to welcoming Grace back in 2025 as we uncover a new Celebrity MasterChef champion."
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And Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC added: "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."
Wallace left the BBC series due to historical misconduct allegations, with producers issuing a statement on the matter.
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Banijay UK, the production company behind the TV show, said at the time: "This week, the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.
“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate.
“While this review is underway, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully cooperating throughout the process.
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“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
It added: "If anyone would like to talk to us or raise any issues or concerns, then they can contact [email protected] in confidence."
Wallace's lawyers have stated to the BBC that the allegations are completely false.
Topics: BBC, Celebrity, Food and Drink, Gregg Wallace, TV And Film, UK News, News
Rhiannon Ingle