Food critic Grace Dent, 51, is said to be replacing Gregg Wallace, 60, on MasterChef UK after the TV host was sacked from the BBC show
Veteran food critic and I’m a Celebrity star Grace Dent is reportedly set to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef UK.
An insider has suggested that the 51-year-old food critic will join John Torode, 59, on the BBC show, with filming due to commence at the end of summer.
This news comes shortly after Gregg Wallace, 60, issued a statement saying he would “not go quietly” after being sacked from the programme by production company Banijay, amidst allegations of misconduct from 50 individuals, all of which he vehemently denies.
The source claims that Grace, who previously stepped in for Gregg on Celebrity MasterChef, is “a natural fit” for the show. They added that Grace “loves to support up-and-coming talent in the industry and loves the format of the show.”
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Speaking to The Sun, they revealed: “Filming is expected to start at the end of the summer through December. They are also filming at new studios in Birmingham, so it will be a fresh start all round.”
When it was announced last December that Grace, who appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2023 but had to leave due to medical reasons after nine days, would be filling in for Celebrity MasterChef, she expressed: “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.”
Jon spoke highly of his colleague, 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.”
This news comes just days after Gregg released a heated statement on social media, reports the Mirror. He claimed that Silkin’s Report into his alleged misconduct “exonerates him of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year.”
In a lengthy social media post, he stated: “I’ve taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins report – a decision I do not take lightly. But after 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.
“I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me. The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”
He continued: “My decision to go public now is also driven by the fact the BBC News division are intending to platform legally unsafe accusations, including claims which have already been investigated and not upheld by the BBC and found not credible by Silkins. The BBC is no longer providing balanced and impartial public service journalism.”
The source stated: “It is peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories. The BBC is choosing to allow BBC News to run with this uncorroborated tittle tattle in an attempt to ‘get ahead’ of the Silkin’s summary report and derail what has been an extremely thorough process.”
In response, a BBC spokesperson said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace.
“We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
