Who is replacing Gregg Wallace on MasterChef? Famed TV chef, glamorous actress and I’m A Celeb star in the running to take his spot as scandal-hit BBC show is confirmed to air for another four years
The speculation around Gregg Wallace’s replacement on MasterChef is heating up after it was announced the scandal-hit BBC show is confirmed to air for another four years.
The future of the programme was confirmed on Friday following rumours it was going to be axed in the wake of the scandal surrounding Gregg.
Former judge Gregg, 60, stepped down from hosting the BBC cooking show after nearly 20 years last month, while an investigation into his alleged misconduct is carried out.
The former greengrocer initially faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour from 13 people, including Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, over a 17-year period across five shows from 2005 to 2022.
He has since faced an onslaught of fresh allegations which include groping, pressing his crotch against a colleague and allegedly flashing another woman in his dressing room.
Now, the race to replace the chef and star alongside judge John Torode is underway with Gino D’Acampo, James Martin, Nigella Lawson, Grace Dent and Lisa Faulkner in the running to take his spot.
The speculation around Gregg Wallace’s, 60, replacement on MasterChef is heating up after it was announced the scandal-hit BBC show is confirmed to air for another four years
The race to replace the chef and star alongside judge John Torode (L) is underway with Gino D’Acampo, James Martin, Nigella Lawson, Grace Dent and Lisa Faulkner in the running
Lisa, the wife of Celebrity chef and MasterChef judge John, could be in talks to star alongside her husband and replace Gregg.
The actress, 52, previously said at Cheltenham Literature Festival back in October, before accusations surrounding Gregg came to light, that he would make ‘rude joke after rude joke I didn’t want to hear’ when she appeared on the show in 2010.
Lisa went on to win the Celebrity MasterChef trophy during her stint in 2010.
Speaking about her time on the show, she said, according to The Sun: ‘Gregg was telling – I’m probably not allowed to say this…Gregg just told rude joke after rude joke to the crew.
‘You’re just sitting there and if you’re on the front bench just chopping away thinking, ‘I’ve got ten minutes left’, and he’s saying, ‘So this girl walked into a bar…And I’m going, ‘Please, I don’t want to hear this joke’.
Gregg is said to be ‘furious’ with John – his MasterChef co-host of almost 20 years – after he failed to publicly support him.
The under-fire presenter, has unfollowed the couple on Instagram, making his anger quite plain – though Lisa still follows Gregg and the chef’s wife Anne-Marie Sterpini still follows the couple.
Former judge Gregg (L) stepped down from hosting the BBC cooking show after nearly 20 years last month, while an investigation into his alleged misconduct is carried out
Gregg initially faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour from 13 people, including Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, over a 17-year period across five shows from 2005 to 2022
He has since faced an onslaught of fresh allegations which include groping, pressing his crotch against a colleague and allegedly flashing another woman in his dressing room
John failed to address the scandal for several days but broke his silence on Wednesday to say: ‘I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it.
‘The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear and I have found the recent Press reports truly upsetting.
‘But as I hope everyone appreciates, there is an investigation under way, which I fully support, so I cannot make any further comment at this stage, and I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward.’
Lisa also reposted the message.
Italian chef Gino certainly won’t be shy at giving out his opinions as he too is in the running to take over Gregg’s spot.
The funny, light-hearted This Morning star is a hit among viewers with his down to earth humour and jokes.
According to The Sun, bookies odds say James Martin is the favourite to replace Gregg and swoon in to save the day.
He is famed for his appearances on This Morning and on his own ITV cooking show James Martin’s Saturday Morning.
Lisa, the wife of Celebrity chef and MasterChef judge John, could be in talks to star alongside her husband and replace Gregg
The actress previously said, before accusations surrounding Gregg came to light, that he would make ‘rude joke after rude joke I didn’t want to hear’ when she appeared on the show in 2010
Italian chef Gino certainly won’t be shy at giving out his opinions as he too is in the running to take over Gregg’s spot
Bookies odds say James Martin is the favourite to replace Gregg and swoon in to save the day
He is famed for his appearances on This Morning and on his own ITV cooking show James Martin’s Saturday Morning
TV chef Nigella Lawson, who is currently part of the judging panel on the Australian version of MasterChef, is also rumoured to be replacing Gregg
Hoping to bring a female swing to the show, I’m A Celebrity star and food critic Grace Dent is also in the running
Grace appeared on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics in 2023
The 52-year-old first appeared on screens back in 1999 and hosted Saturday Kitchen for ten years from 2006.
However, James himself faced his own allegations of bullying back in 2023.
He swore 42 times as he launched a foul-mouthed rant at his TV crew in 2018 shortly after his shock cancer diagnosis, with an extraordinary recording of the moment leaked online.
Afterwards, The Daily Mail exclusively revealed he could face being axed by ITV after senior bosses were left furious at his behaviour.
However, his continued to host his morning show and survived the scandal.
TV chef Nigella Lawson, who is currently part of the judging panel on the Australian version of MasterChef, is also rumoured to be replacing Gregg.
Hoping to bring a female swing to the show, I’m A Celebrity star and food critic Grace Dent is also in the running.
