Grace Dent to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef

Food critic Grace Dent has been announced as the new co-host of Celebrity MasterChef, after Gregg Wallace stepped away from the role.

Grace will host the next series of the show alongside John Torode, who has presented MasterChef since 2005.

Grace, 51, has regularly appeared across all versions of UK MasterChef as a guest.

In 2023, she featured on ITV’s hit show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in Australia. She also hosts a podcast called Comfort Eating with Grace Dent.

Gregg stepped away last month whilst the BBC conduct an investigation into his conduct, after allegations surfaced of inappropriate sexual comments made by people who worked with him.

The 60-year-old has denied the claims.

Discussing taking on the MasterChef role, Grace 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 added: "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."

It has not been confirmed whether Grace will also be a part of future amateur and professional MasterChef series.