Various names have been thrown into the mix following speculation Gregg Wallace could be replaced on MasterChef.
The BBC presenter, 60, has stepped back from the programme following several allegations made against him, including accusations of making ‘inappropriate sexual jokes’ and lewd comments on set, asking for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressing in front of and standing ‘too close’ to women working on his shows.
Further allegations claim he groped three people in different incidents, that he ‘mimicked sex acts’ and walked around the studio almost ‘completely naked’, with more than 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year-period making complaints, and that he sexually harassed his ghost-writer with ‘thigh rubs’.
Various women have spoken out, including the likes of Ulrika Jonsson and Kirsty Wark, though Wallace and his lawyers have fiercely denied the allegations, saying ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.
Amid the investigation, the BBC shelved the MasterChef Christmas specials which were due to air this year, and it remains unclear if the next season of the main series, which recently finished filming, will still air in Spring 2025.
One source told The Daily Mail: ‘The idea of a complete reboot is appealing.’
Another insider added: ‘It’s too early to say anything definitive yet — except that Gregg won’t be coming back.’
Stay updated with our latest Gregg Wallace stories here:
Wallace’s co-star John Torode put out a statement last week, saying he would not comment further on the allegations while the investigation continues, but stressing how much he loves MasterChef.
‘Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it,’ he said.
As speculation continues of who could possibly co-host with Torode if Wallace steps back from the show permanently, we’ve taken a look at the top seven contenders.
James Martin
James Martin is currently leading the odds as a replacement for Wallace.
He took over hosting Saturday Kitchen for a decade after Wallace fronted the first two seasons from 2002 and Antony Worrall Thompson presented the cooking series between 2003 and 2006.
Since 2017 he’s presented ITV’s Saturday Morning with James Martin, as well as a string of other cooking shows, and is now a favourite for MasterChef.
According to Coral bookmakers, Martin is an early favourite of odds at 2/1 to be the next presenter, topping the betting ahead of Matt Tebbutt, who stood at 7/2, and Ainsley Harriot at 4/1.
Coral’s John Hill said: ‘James Martin tops our betting to make a return to the BBC for MasterChef. He is the early favourite to be the next presenter, with Matt Tebbutt and Ainsley Harriott also likely to be the in the running, according to our odds.’
Angela Hartnett
Michelin-starred chef, and host of the Dish podcast alongside Nick Grimshaw, Angela Hartnett is one of the names rumoured to be considered as a replacement.
She’s previously appeared on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen and as a guest judge on MasterChef, and is reportedly being eyed-up by programme bosses.
A source told The Daily Mail: ‘Angela Hartnett is the ideal person they would love to get on the show, but it’s not clear if she might agree, and if she would want to devote the time to it.
‘They want to have one presenter who is a proper, authentic professional chef.
‘The other person, the “Gregg” if you like, could be Andi Oliver or Grace Dent. They really like Grace Dent.’
Andi Oliver
Chef and TV star Andi Oliver, who has appeared as a guest judge on Food Glorious Food, is a regular panellist on The Kitchen Cabinet and replaced Dame Prue Leith on Great British Menu, is another potential replacement.
Amid the rumours, when asked about the controversy, Andi, 61, said she believes it has been blown out of proportion.
‘The thing to do is not be too melodramatic about it,’ she told The Daily Mail.
‘Gregg Wallace is not the only person who’s been given a licence to behave in ways that are inappropriate.
‘And for everybody to pretend that he is a kind of lone wolf is disingenuous and a bit ridiculous, really.’
Grace Dent
According to odds by Gambling.com, former I’m A Celebrity star Grace Dent is tipped to take over for Wallace and stands at 2/1 to join the show.
The critic, 51, has regularly appeared on MasterChef and its spin-off programmes, and as a judge on Great British Menu.
Meanwhile, Wallace’s MasterChef: The Professionals co-stars Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing stand at odds of 5/2 and 3/1 respectively, after their experience on the franchise.
Lisa Faulkner
Torode’s wife Lisa Faulkner is also a frontrunner to replace Wallace, after she won the celebrity version of the competition in 2010.
According to Gambling.com’s James Leyfield, it would ‘make perfect sense for BBC bosses’ to replace Wallace with Lisa – who stands at odds of 6/4 – as she would co-host alongside her husband.
The pair have previously co-hosted various food shows together, such as John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, with Torode previously telling Metro about working together: ‘What helps is we really do like each other. If Lisa and I were cooking the same sort of food, it’d be quite boring.
‘She doesn’t want to be in a professional kitchen, she wants to help people to make life a little bit easier at home.
‘I may have trained and been cooking for 40 years in big hotels and all sorts of stuff but there’s still so much to learn.’
Nigella Lawson
Mee-cro-wah-vey queen Nigella Lawson is another favourite to replace Wallace.
The 64-year-old has ample broadcasting experience, and stands at odds of 13/8.
The food writer and chef has worked with the BBC to front several programmes, and appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef US and MasterChef Australia.
Gordon Ramsay (and Snoop Dogg)
Hell’s Kitchen star Gordon Ramsay has emerged as a new possible replacement, standing at odds of 11/2.
But Snoop Dogg has now also thrown his hat in the ring, thanks to his pal Ramsay.
In a very bizarre turn of events, the rapper said the role would be the ‘perfect opportunity’ for him to work on a UK show, and it’s something he’s ‘always’ wanted.
‘You better believe Snoop could be the new MasterChef judge,’ he told The Mirror.
‘My boy Gordon [Ramsay] judges on the US version of the show, and I know he would back me to be able to judge on the UK version.
‘He knows I am not playing when it comes to food. He knows I can cook – I have even given him some tips.
‘I hosted a cooking show over here (Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party) and I have always been vocal about wanting to work on a UK show. I love the place – and for real, this could be the perfect opportunity.’
We are so here for it!
Who do you want as a replacement for Gregg Wallace?
Metro has approached the BBC and MasterChef reps for comment.
MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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