I'm A Celebrity star set to be announced as Gregg Wallace's permanent MasterChef replacement
hot seat I'm A Celebrity star set to be announced as Gregg Wallace's permanent MasterChef replacement
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GRACE Dent is set to be announced as the replacement for Gregg Wallace on MasterChef UK, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The food critic, 51, is understood to start filming for MasterChef UK alongside chef John Torode, 59, at the end of the summer.
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Grace Dent is set to be announced as Gregg Wallace's replacement
Credit: Instagram
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Gregg has been axed from the show following an investigation into his behaviour
Credit: BBC
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Grace has already appeared as a judge on the show
Credit: PA
A source said: 'Grace is a natural fit for the show as she is also hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside John.
'Grace loves to support up-and-coming talent in the industry and loves the format of the show.
'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.'
It comes after The Sun revealed earlier this week that Wallace was formally sacked by the BBC - citing 'learned behaviour' as the reason for his axing.
The report concludes that Wallace, who was diagnosed as autistic midway through the investigation into complaints against him, is unable to change his ways.
In December last year The Sun on Sunday revealed that Grace was set to replace Wallace on Celebrity MasterChef.
Grace 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.
'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments
'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.'
John added: '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.'
Alongside her successful journalism career as food critic Grace has been doing more mainstream TV, and starred on I'm A Celeb in 2023.
She walked from the jungle after nine days, citing 'medical grounds.'
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Grace appeared in I'm A Celebrity in 2023 - but pulled out after nine days
Credit: ITV
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Gregg will no longer be working for the BBC
Credit: BBC
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