John Torode's MasterChef replacement 'confirmed' as Gogglebox fan favourite following BBC axe
A Gogglebox fan favourite has emerged as the leading contender to replace John Torode on MasterChef following his dismissal. In a shocking revelation, the BBC confirmed on Tuesday, July 16, that they would not be renewing his contract.
It comes after an historic allegation of racism which the Australian chef, 59, strongly denies and claims to have no recollection of, was upheld by an independent investigation into John's co-host, Gregg Wallace.
This development followed the termination of Gregg, 60, from MasterChef in light of the inquiry into his conduct. The investigation, carried out by legal firm Lewis Silkin, found that 45 out of 83 accusations levelled against the father-of-three were corroborated.
These were predominantly involving inappropriate sexual language and humour. In the aftermath of Gregg and John's departure, Gogglebox star Andi Oliver has surfaced as the prime candidate to host MasterChef, reports the Mirror.
According to Whataretheodds.co.uk, Great British Menu star Andi is currently the favourite with odds of 5/2 (28.6%). Renowned for her vibrant energy and authority on GBM, Andi's culinary prowess has made her a popular choice among fans and bookies alike.
She would also mark history as the first black woman to present the show. The betting markets have responded swiftly to John and Gregg's exit from MasterChef, with odds analyst, Dave James, disclosing that a well-known celebrity chef is also vying for the position.
He remarked: "Andi Oliver remains the market leader, but Tom Kerridge is attracting a lot of support. 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."
Tom, who currently stands at odds of 3/1 (25%), runs several eateries, fronts numerous BBC programmes, and is known for marrying haute cuisine with broad appeal, not to mention being the creator of the £37 fish and chips at Harrod's.
Poppy O'Toole, an emerging sensation on TikTok and within contemporary food media, is also a contender with odds of 4/1 (20%), followed by Angela Hartnett at 5/1 (16.7%), and Great British Bake Off favourite Nadiya Hussain at 6/1 (14.3%).
Elsewhere less unlikely but not without a chance is James Martin and Grace Dent, who stepped in on Celebrity MasterChef alongside John when Gregg withdrew amid an inquiry into his conduct on the programme.
Nigella Lawson, Marcus Wareing, and even John's spouse, Lisa Faulkner, also remain possible candidates as the future of MasterChef remains uncertain.
Another prominent figure tipped to take over the iconic BBC series is Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt. It's rumoured that the experienced presenter has already secured the role for MasterChef: The Professionals.
Matt played it cool regarding the prospect of presenting MasterChef after Gregg's departure earlier this year. Speaking to Muddy Stilettos about potentially co-hosting with John while he was still employed on the show, he remarked: "Well, there's always rumours, but it would be a great gig for sure!".
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