London, UK – Food critic Grace Dent has been announced as the new host for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, stepping in for long-time presenter Gregg Wallace, who exited following serious allegations.
Dent, 51, a celebrated restaurant critic for The Guardian and host of the popular podcast Comfort Eating with Grace Dent, will join John Torode in presenting the 2025 edition of the hit cooking show.
In a heartfelt statement, Dent described her appointment as “more than a dream”, reminiscing about watching the show with her father as a child.
“It’s all about uncovering and championing talent. To have ended up in this position is more than a dream to me,” Dent said.
Despite her excitement, she joked about the irony of her new role, adding, “I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic.”
Gregg Wallace, who has been a staple of the show alongside Torode since 2005, stepped back following a BBC investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Thirteen individuals accused Wallace of making sexually inappropriate comments.
Wallace has denied all claims, with his legal team stating: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
Torode, who will continue as co-host, praised Dent’s appointment, describing her as “an excellent guest, an inspiring critic, and someone who brings both passion and expertise to the show.”
“The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and unquestionable expertise makes Grace the perfect person to step in alongside me,” he added.
While Dent has been confirmed for the Celebrity MasterChef series, it remains unclear whether she will replace Wallace in other iterations of the franchise, including the regular amateur competition or the professional series.
The show’s producers are continuing work on the upcoming amateur edition, while this year’s Christmas specials were cancelled in light of the allegations against Wallace.
Dent’s arrival signals a fresh chapter for MasterChef, which has long been one of the BBC’s flagship programmes. As the 2025 Celebrity MasterChef lineup promises “fresh celebrity faces”, Dent’s dynamic personality and deep culinary knowledge are set to invigorate the series.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting the next season to see how this new partnership unfolds.
