Grace Dent to Host Celebrity MasterChef, Replacing Gregg Wallace

Food critic Grace Dent is slated to host the upcoming season of Celebrity MasterChef, following Gregg Wallace’s departure from the presenting role due to allegations made against him. Dent, an author and podcaster, has frequently appeared as a guest on MasterChef and competed as a contestant in last year’s MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics. In a statement, Dent expressed that taking on the hosting duties was “more than a dream to me” and conveyed feeling “very lucky” to assume the position. John Torode, who will continue on the show and co-host with Dent, stated he had “loved” collaborating with her over the years, describing her as an “excellent guest and inspiring critic.” Gregg Wallace stepped down from presenting MasterChef after a BBC News investigation uncovered allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 individuals who had worked with him. Wallace’s lawyers have maintained that it is “entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.” It has not yet been confirmed whether Dent will also take over Wallace’s role in other series within the MasterChef franchise. Dent, 51, also serves as the restaurant critic for the Guardian and hosts a podcast titled Comfort Eating with Grace Dent. She was a contestant on I’m a Celebrity in 2023, though the broadcaster and journalist, who grew up in Carlisle in Cumbria, exited the Australian jungle after just one week due to medical reasons. Dent 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.” She added, “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.” Dent concluded, “I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.” Torode, who has presented MasterChef since 2005, commented: “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 continued, “Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our wonderful production team, to us as judges.” Torode concluded by saying, “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.” The regular amateur series of MasterChef is reportedly in production. However, the BBC cancelled its MasterChef Christmas specials following the allegations against Wallace. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.