TV chef ‘tipped to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef’ despite Grace Dent stepping up
Gregg Wallace fronted MasterChef for 20 years.
A major TV chef is reportedly in talks to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef despite Grace Dent recently taking over the position for the celebrity series.
In December, it was announced that the BBC was investigating historical allegations of misconduct against Wallace, 60, as he stepped aside from his role as a judge on the cooking programme.
Shortly afterwards, it was revealed that author Dent, 51, who has appeared on MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and Celebrity MasterChef, would be fronting the next season of the celebrity spin-off alongside John Torode, 59.
Despite fans of the show celebrating Dent’s appointment, it’s now been reported that Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt, 51, will instead be replacing Wallace on the main show.
‘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,’ a source said.
‘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.’
Matt Tebbutt currently hosts Saturday Kitchen on the BBC (Picture: John Lawrence/Rex Featires/Shutterstock)The insider told The Sun that ‘nothing is set in stone’ at the moment, and the investigations into Wallace’s behaviour are yet to reach a final verdict.
‘But since MasterChef is such a huge show with a massive following, the Beeb are keen to have everything lined up ready,’ they added.
This report appears to place doubt over Dent’s future on the programme as a judge, after fans hailed her taking on the position.
‘Whoever decided to give Grace Dent the MasterChef gig deserves a pay rise and bottomless Prosecco,’ a fan called Emma tweeted in December.
MasterChef fans thought Grace Dent was a great choice to host the celebrity spin-off with John Torode (Picture: BBC/PA Wire)‘We all said Grace Dent would be brilliant on #Masterchef & for once the BBC listened. ????????????????????????,’ Andrew shared, while David stated: ‘Grace Dent in for Gregg Wallace should have happened years ago. Wittier, sharper and actually knows her stuff.’
Food critic Jay Rayner also wrote at the time: ‘Huge congrats to my dear friend and colleague Grace on stepping up as judge for @MasterChefUK. A terrific choice. She’ll be brilliant.
In a statement about her MasterChef announcement, Dent 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.
‘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.’
Wallace and his lawyers have denied the allegations that were made against him, saying ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.
Metro has contacted Matt Tebbutt’s representatives for comment. The BBC declined to comment when contacted by Metro.
MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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