Gregg Wallace’s replacement for MasterChef is reportedly set to be announced this week.
After much speculation, it seems a former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star is lined up to take the spot on the BBC cooking programme.
This comes after the show’s production firm Banijay UK launched a probe in November after several complaints from women about Wallace ‘in relation to historical allegations of misconduct’.
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While allegations are investigated, the 60-year-old took a step back from presenting MasterChef.
His lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature and he later released a video claiming the complaints were ‘coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age just from Celebrity MasterChef’.
With further backlash for that, Wallace then had to issue an apology, saying he wasn't in a 'good head space' when he posted it.
"It's obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope you accept this apology," he added.
The BBC also pulled its pre-recorded MasterChef Christmas specials for this month after the accusations against Wallace.
Having been co-presenters on the cooking show since 2005, it seems Torode will be remaining without him after reports he ‘repeatedly flagged Gregg Wallace’s behaviour to executives’.
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According to The Sun on Sunday, he'll now reportedly be joined by Grace Dent who also has a lengthy background in the world of food.
Appearing in a cut-short stint on I’m A Celeb last year, the star is a restaurant critic for The Guardian and famously had a column for the Evening Standard from 2011 to 2017.
As well as hosting her podcast Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, she’s also had plenty of experience with MasterChef having appeared regularly as a guest judge.
A TV source told The Sun on Sunday: “Grace is the perfect choice to replace Gregg on MasterChef.
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“She’s knowledgeable about food and opinionated, plus it’s great to have a woman as a judge on the show. It will shake things up and give the series the boost it needs after such an upsetting and uncertain time.
“She is already a fan favourite and has won lots of respect in the foodie world thanks to her no-nonsense style and sense of humour.
“Bosses love her already, know she is a safe pair of hands and trust her to help steer the ship with John to steadier waters.”
The BBC declined to comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Gregg Wallace, TV and Film, BBC
Jess Battison