Who will replace John Torode and Gregg Wallace on MasterChef? The latest updates
The overhaul comes after an independent review commissioned by production company Banijay, into misconduct accusations against Wallace, 60, upheld 45 of the 83 allegations, leading to his official removal from the cooking reality series.
Torode, 59, exited hot on his heels after it was claimed he used the 'N word' on two separate occasions, although he has said he has 'no recollection' of the incident.
The BBC is now deciding what to do with all their pre-recorded content, including one MasterChef season with Torode and Wallace, and a Celebrity MasterChef season, as well as two festive specials with just Torode.
The broadcaster has reiterated its commitment to giving the amateur chefs featured in the unaired season their chance to shine.
Meanwhile, the director-general Tim Davie has said he sees a future for the show beyond 2028 (the year until which the contract is currently renewed), all of which means, new hosts are likely to be announced by the BBC imminently.
According to the latest sources, there are two TV personalities primed to take over (with other names still being bandied about).
Earlier this year, BBC star Matt Tebbutt, 51, was posed as a potential replacement on both The Professionals and the traditional series after his success almost decade-long success presenting Saturday Kitchen.
'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,' an insider told The Sun at the time.
The source added: '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.'
Osman added: 'There are so many great food presenters, Matt Tebbutt is now doing stuff on the professionals one for example, he'd be an amazing host for it.'
What's more, in recent weeks, Tebbutt has also hinted that his tenure on Saturday Kitchen could come to an end in the near future.
'It's going to stop at some point. I'm going to have to do something,' he said on a podcast in March.
Now, a source has told The Sun: 'Matt is seen as a really safe pair of hands by the BBC. He has been in the frame for some time and is now being lined up for MasterChef.
Great British Menu star Andi Oliver, 62, has come forward as a top candidate to take over.
The Sun source said that while Masterchef is 'keen to bring her on board' they are 'not sure if she can commit at this stage because of her schedule with [the Great British Menu]'.
The insider continued: 'Everyone loves Andi and she would be perfect for the role in many ways.
'She is very talented on her own merit but she would also help bring a more diverse look for the show, which is much needed.
'The last thing the show wants is to be slapped with being 'pale, and stale' by a new generation of food lovers.'
It comes after the whataretheodds.co.uk confirmed the Gogglebox star had quickly become the fan-favourite at 5/2.
'Known for her upbeat energy and authority on Great British Menu, Andi's culinary credibility has made her a top choice among fans and bookmakers alike,' the site explained, per the Mirror.
This casting would also mean she makes history as the first Black woman to present the show.
Speaking about the MasterChef scandal when it first kicked off last year, Oliver told The Guardian 'there's a certain culture that allows it to happen.'
The Stirring It Up podcast host (presented with her daughter Miquita Oliver) added: 'Culture will only change if we stop all the fake outrage and actually implement change.'
Coming in strong as a frontrunner is restaurant critic Grace Dent, who was already tipped to be replacing Wallace even before Torode's sacking.
The I'm A Celeb star, 51, started her journey on the BBC reality competition series as a contestant on the 2023 Christmas special.
After Wallace was removed from the series at the end of 2024 after the misconduct allegation first came to light, Dent stepped in for him alongside Torode to film the new season of Celebrity MasterChef.
Although it was unclear whether she would make the jump to the amateur series as a permanent replacement for Gregg, all signs point towards yes.
Last week, The Sun reported that she was being lined up to take over to provide the show with a 'fresh start'.
'Grace is a natural fit for the show,' a source told the publication. '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.'
Meanwhile, Pointless host Richard Osman added on the Rest is Entertainment podcast: 'Grace Dent hosted half of the celebrity one – whether we'll see that or not – but she can continue to host the celebrity one very very easily.'
Michelin-starred English chef Tom Kerridge is hot on Oliver's heels with his odds at 3/1.
The multi-restaurant owner (Hand and Flowers and Coach) has hosted various BBC shows including The Hidden World of Hospitality, Tom Kerridge's Fresh Start and Top of the Shop with Tom Kerridge – so he has form.
Odds analyst Dave James told The Mirror that Tom 'is attracting a lot of support.'
James added: 'His profile is huge, and he's one of the most trusted names in British food. This could come down to what direction the BBC wants – prestige, relatability, or a bit of both.'
Influencer Poppy O'Toole is a more left-field suggestion, but going strong in the odds at 4/1.
The TikTok star grew to fame for her 'potato' series in which she showcased the many, many ways you can cook the humble spud. Now, she boasts 4.8 million followers.
The chef, who has a strong following among the younger generation, has also made the jump to mainstream media as a regular fixture on ITV's This Morning and has even appeared as a judge on Cooking with the Stars.
The cookbook writer could well draw in new viewers to the show as it heralds in a new era.
There are several other names in the mix from the high-profile stars such as James Martin and Nigella Lawson, to those who have already played in the MasterChef field.
This includes The Professionals judge Marcus Wareing and Irish chef Anna Haugh, who has stepped in for Wallace already. More Trending
British-Italian cook Angela Hartnett, who was Gordon Ramsey's protégée, has also been floated as an option with her odds at 5/1.
She has also appeared as a judge on Great British Menu with Andi, giving them a pre-existing working relationship.
Finally, Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain's name has also been floated – although the BBC recently announced they would not be producing anymore shows with her, which she has vocally criticised.
This article was first published on July 16, 2025.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
View More »
MORE: Lisa Faulkner reveals secret to long marriage with John Torode as MasterChef scandal rages on
MORE: Acclaimed thriller hailed as a 'masterpiece' now available to stream
MORE: Richard Osman reveals he pined for wife for a year before meeting on BBC show
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Antiques Roadshow expert shares huge value of Titanic letter but guest refuses to sell
Antiques Roadshow expert Hilary Kay met with a guest whose father Sidney Daniels was hired to work on the Titanic as a plate washer at the age of 18 Antiques Roadshow's Hilary Kay had an emotional encounter with a guest whose father, Sidney Daniels, was employed as a plate washer on the Titanic at just 18 years old. Sidney was one of the survivors of the tragic sinking, and his daughter brought along a poignant letter he penned to the beloved BBC series. She recounted: "It was a Sunday, he was sound asleep, there was a banging and shouting and it was the night watchman. They were all a bit bleary-eyed because at first they thought it was a drill. "It wasn't until he got up on deck, there were hardly any people around at first and then officers came and turned to him and said, 'Go to these cabins.' Of course it was hard to wake people, they were asleep. "Some reacted in different ways. One or two said 'What does this young man know? He's 18, the boat is unsinkable. We're not going up on deck.' Others were saying, 'We've got children, they're going to get a chill if they go up on deck.' So he helped the children with the lifejackets and ushered them up on deck." Hilary reflected on the harrowing event, adding: "You can imagine the scene of chaos and despair because people realised there weren't enough lifeboats." Relaying the harrowing tale of survival, one of Sidney's kin recounted: "That was his job, to try and get people into the lifeboats and the water was rising all of the time. When all the lifeboats had gone, the water was up around his knees and he thought, 'It's time to go.' So he dived off the side of the boat, swam away from it, came to a lifebelt and to my Dad's mind, it was too close to the boat, he was afraid when the boat went down, the suction would take them down so he said to this chap, 'It's no good here, let's swim away.'". They continued with the gripping narrative: "Apparently this chap followed him and they just kept swimming. He said he saw a star in the sky which he thought was his mother and swam towards this star and eventually came to this life raft which was upside down and managed to cling onto that." The story took an emotional turn as they shared: "When he was on there, he said, 'I'm tired, I want to go to sleep,' and the chap next to him said, 'Don't go to sleep lad, if you do, it will be your last.' So they sat there singing hymns trying to pass the time away." Accompanying their visit, the relatives brought a poignant piece of history - a letter from Sidney's uniform pocket as he leapt from the Titanic, reports the Express. Expert Hilary weighed in on the artefact's significance and value: "It's an extraordinary item and anything related to Titanic has this extraordinary affect on people. It is an extraordinary moment to behold something which is so linked into an extraordinary moment in history." She estimated it's worth: "We're talking about around £10,000, is the realistic value." Upon hearing the valuation, the guest firmly stated: "It's very nice but it's not going out the family, it's going to a museum." Antiques Roadshow is broadcast on Sundays at 8.15pm on BBC One.
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Gabby Logan says she was 'very much aware that people didn't like her' after getting the axe from 'life-changing' Strictly Come Dancing experience
Gabby Logan has reflected on her 'shocking' Strictly Come Dancing experience after being eliminated from the show in 2007. The BBC presenter, 52, was partnered up with professional dancer James Jordan, while her husband Kenny Logan was also competing with James' wife Ola Jordan. But Gabby has now admitted that Strictly had a negative affect on her life as she struggled to cope with feelings of public rejection after being voted off. She told Wales Online: 'I had an amazing experience on Strictly, I was only on it for a few weeks, but I had an amazing experience — but also, a kind of life-changing experience in many ways. '[It] sounds a bit dramatic, and you hear people going 'Strictly changed my life', but this wasn't in a good way.' Gabby was voted off fourth from the BBC competition after unexpectedly finding herself in the bottom two with Rod Stewart 's wife Penny Lancaster. She added: 'When you get voted out of Strictly, it's so shocking, because you go in every week starting to work on your following week's dance, and you don't expect to go home'. Gabby said she became 'very much aware that people didn't like her' during the show and admitted she felt rejected by the public. Speaking to Jessica Ennis on the Gold Minds podcast Gabby added: 'It was the fact that obviously people didn't vote for me — and it sounds a bit pathetic — but you realise when it's a reality show that it's about whether people like you. And I was very much aware that people didn't like me. 'I was kind of like, they didn't like me enough to vote for me.' Despite reassurances from dance partner James, Gabby confessed she felt 'upset' over the situation. She said: 'It was a very sobering kind of experience because in the days afterwards, not only was I dreadfully missing the dancing, but also realising I kind of felt like, 'Oh, what was it about me that people didn't relate to?'' Gabby added that her competitive nature possibly played a role in her departure and noted that her husband stayed in the show despite her opinion that he was a 'rubbish' dancer. Former rugby player Kenny narrowly avoided being eliminated several times before eventually getting the boot just before the quarter finals. Gabby revealed that Kenny even offered to swap places with her after seeing how affected she was by the elimination - although a switch is not permitted. The couple have been married since 2001 and share two children together. The 2007 series finished with Alesha Dixon lifting the glitterball trophy and she later joined the judging panel replacing Arlene Phillips. It comes after Gabby shared why she did not want to have sex with her husband Kenny due to health struggles. She revealed her initial concerns that going through the menopause would have an adverse effect on her sex life with her partner. Gabby, who shares twins Lois and Reuben with her former Scottish rugby player Kenny, explained that she was able to address the problems thanks to the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). According to the NHS, menopause symptoms can include hot flushes, mood swings and low mood. The presenter told The Sun: 'My libido was definitely affected by the menopause and perimenopause. 'I found I didn't want to have sex with my husband as much, and it felt like something I was going to have to do even if I didn't really want to. 'It was almost like, ''Is this going to become a duty?'' So many women say this and I didn't want to become one of them. She added that she wanted to regain her sex drive because her sex life with her husband had always been so important. As soon as a doctor prescribed her HRT, she said she was relieved and emotional at the prospect of having an improved libido.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Bend It Like Beckham sequel in the works two decades after original movie
Bend It Like Beckham sequel is set to hit the screens for a second time according to director Gurinder Chadha, who credits her 2002 film for changing the attitudes towards women's football When Bend It Like Beckham first hit the silver screen in the UK back in 2002, it was credited for changing the cultural landscape of women in sport. And now, it has been confirmed that the sequel is in the pipeline, according to the original director Gurinder Chadha. The film starred Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra. In an interview with the BBC, Gurinder, 65, told the broadcaster: "We've been part of changing the game for women, so it felt like this was a good time for me to go back and investigate the characters." The England women's football team has enjoyed a number of successes over the years and are currently preparing to go up against Spain in the final of the Euro 2025. Despite a significant change in the attitudes towards females in sport, Gurinder still believes that there is still a long way to go. She continued: "A lot has changed since the original movie, but I think that people still don't think that women should play football. There are people who still don't take it seriously, although the Lionesses are riding high. "I've left it a while, but I thought: 'look at the Euros, look at the Lionesses.'" The director went on to look at her film's role is spreading a more positive message in a bid to "challenge stereotypes." She explained: "What I did was say you can do what you want, and you can have it all, and I think that's a really great message to put out again. I think there's still stuff to say, and stuff to challenge." While the film helped the career of Keira by putting her firmly on the map, it seems at the time she took on the role, the reception she received from those close, was anything but positive. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, she admitted: "I literally remember telling people I was doing it and it's called Bend It Like Beckham, and them going, 'Oh that's really embarrassing'. And they were all like, 'Don't worry. Nobody will see it. It's fine.'" She added: "Women's soccer was not as big back then, and so the idea of the whole thing was sort of ridiculous." Despite the doubt, the film went on to earn more than an estimated £52million at the box office and also inspired a musical adaptation. Keira has secured a number of high profile role since starring in the film, including Pirates Of The Caribbean, but she is still reminded by fans of her role in the football inspired film. She said: "It's amazing because it's still the film even today, you know, if someone comes up to talk to me about my work it's that one. It's so loved. It's amazing."
