The BBC have announced Gregg Wallace’s replacement as an I’m A Celebrity star is set to take the reins

Grace Dent is to be a judge for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The award-winning restaurant critic has been a regular on BBC screens and a regualar guest on BBC’s MasterChef for over a decade. The I’m a Celebrity contetstant also took part on last year’s MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023.

It comes after regular presenter Gregg Wallace has stepped back from MasterChef amid allegations of misconduct.

Speaking about her new role, Grace, 51, gushed: “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.”

BBC Celebrity MasterChef has a new presenter (Image: BBC)

Gregg Wallace has stepped back from BBC MasterChef (Image: GETTY)

John said: “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.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s head of entertainment, said: “Grace Dent is the perfect choice to step in for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef.

Award-winning food critic Grace Dent has been a regular on MasterChef (Image: BBC

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“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.”

Her appointment into the new role comes after the show’s production firm Banijay UK launched a probe last month after several women complained the TV judge had made inappropriate comments.

Gregg has strongly denied any wrongdoing.