In a dramatic turn of events, seasoned food critic and I’m a Celebrity star Grace Dent is poised to take over Gregg Wallace’s coveted spot in the MasterChef kitchen. An insider has revealed that the esteemed culinary critic, now 51, is set to team up with John Torode, aged 59, with filming reportedly beginning by the end of summer.
This anticipated transition follows Wallace’s unexpected dismissal amid a cloud of misconduct allegations, which he staunchly denies. Wallace, 60, has stated he won’t “go quietly” and has fiercely defended his reputation following the scandal.
<pAccording to reports from the Sun, Grace Dent, who previously filled in for Wallace during Celebrity MasterChef, is now seen as "a natural fit." She has a passion for highlighting emerging talent and thoroughly enjoys the show's format. It was revealed that filming at new studios in Birmingham is on the horizon, marking a fresh start for the series.
Grace, who made headlines during her stint on I’m a Celebrity in 2023 before bowing out due to medical issues, expressed her excitement when she was announced for Celebrity MasterChef last December. “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa,” she reminisced. “My whole family watches it. It’s all about uncovering and championing talent, and to end up in this position is more than a dream. I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which isn’t great for a restaurant critic.”
She continued, “I feel incredibly lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef, and I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.” Her enthusiasm has been met with praise from John Torode, who has worked alongside Grace for years, describing her as an inspiring critic who sets some “incredible challenges.”
The announcement of Dent’s role comes just days after Gregg Wallace released a fiery statement on social media regarding the allegations against him. He claimed that the findings of the Silkin’s Report clear him of all serious allegations that had circulated last year.
In his lengthy social media message, Wallace stated, “I’ve decided to speak out ahead of the Silkins report publication—a decision I don’t take lightly. After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I can’t sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged.” He emphasized that the investigation found the most sensational claims against him to be baseless.
Wallace continued, expressing his concerns over the BBC’s news division, stating, “The BBC is no longer providing balanced and impartial public service journalism.” His passionate statement condemned what he described as “baseless gossip masquerading as journalism,” alongside claims that had not been upheld by credible investigations.
The BBC has remained tight-lipped, stating that a law firm, Lewis Silkin, was instructed to investigate these serious allegations against Wallace. They confirmed they would refrain from commenting until the completion of the inquiry and the publication of the findings.