BBC chiefs are gearing up for a major shake-up on MasterChef, with a top TV chef set to take over as judge and host following Gregg Wallace’s departure.
Gregg Wallace stepped away from the show in November after allegations of inappropriate behaviour (Image: BBC)
BBC bosses are preparing to shake up MasterChef, with Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt who could be in line to replace Gregg Wallace as both judge and host of the hit cooking competition. The 51-year-old chef and restaurateur is reportedly in advanced talks with producers and could also land a role on the spin-off series MasterChef: The Professionals.
Tebbutt is set to join long-standing judge Jon Torode on the panel after Wallace stepped away from the show in November.
His departure followed multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour, leaving the BBC scrambling to secure a replacement for one of its biggest shows.
Banijay UK – the production company behind MasterChef – launched a probe after several women complained the TV judge had either made sexual remarks or harassed them. Gregg Wallace, 60, then stepped away from his role on the show as the investigation takes place. A TV insider revealed: “Matt rose to the challenge of coming into Saturday Kitchen after it was previously hosted by another big name in the world of food, James Martin.
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Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt in line to replace Gregg Wallace as both judge and host (Image: BBC)
“He managed the feat of making it his own and almost making viewers forget who his predecessor was — now Beeb bosses, and the show producers Banijay, will be hoping he can work the same magic on MasterChef.”
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Despite the buzz surrounding Tebbutt’s appointment, nothing is finalised just yet. “Nothing is set in stone, of course, and the result of investigations into Gregg’s behaviour have yet to fully conclude,” the source added.
“But since MasterChef is such a huge show with a massive following, the Beeb are keen to have everything lined up ready.”
Meanwhile, food critic and writer Grace Dent has been filling in for Wallace as been appointed as a judge on Celebrity MasterChef.
Tebbutt, a father of two, has spent much of his life in South Wales, where he owned a restaurant before transitioning into a successful TV career.
A graduate of Leiths School of Food and Wine, founded by Bake Off judge Prue Leith, he has worked in some of the UK’s top restaurants.
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Disgraced Wallace has since revealed a huge career move after the MasterChef scandal (Image: YouTube/GreggWallace.Health)
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His first major TV appearance came in 2012 on Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped, before stepping in for Martin on Saturday Kitchen and eventually securing the top job.
Disgraced Wallace has since revealed a huge career move after the MasterChef scandal derailed his TV work.
After the huge controversy, the food writer has now launched his own range of “healthy” frozen meals to be cooked in the microwave.
He advertised his new venture via a YouTube video for his dedicated health brand platform.
In the clip, he explained: “I have been working for quite a while now on frozen ready meals from the GreggWallace.health range of recipes.
“Let’s see how we get on. I have managed to have some time at home and did some cooking.
“It’s a habit I want to get back in to – cooking for the family once a week is something that I really enjoy.”
