The Wanted's Jay McGuiness has described new Celebrity MasterChef judge Giorgio Locatelli as 'intimidating' and 'unsettling', but says he would still like to 'hang out' in co-judge Grace Dent's kitchen.
Jay on the new judging line-up
Discussing the revamped judging line-up, Jay told The Sun's TV Mag that he'd like to "hang out in her kitchen". "Probably Giorgio, because he was new to Celebrity MasterChef, and he came in with restrained 'daddy' energy - that slow power that walks into a room is quite unsettling."
Jay elaborated: "He had that composed calm that unsettles me because I can't read those sort of people. Also, Grace has just the right amount of zippy madness. I wanted to go and hang out in her kitchen afterwards and drink wine with her." He added: "Even though she's still intimidating in her own right, I felt like there was a really fun chaos in there."
Who's in the 2026 line-up
The 2026 line-up includes weightlifter Emily Campbell, broadcaster Jason Mohammad, comedian Joe Pasquale, Love Island's Shakira Khan and The Wanted's Jay McGuiness.
Giorgio Locatelli, star of MasterChef Italia, hosts alongside Grace Dent. He previously said that he "can't wait" to see what the contestants have in store and described the job as an "honour". Speaking previously about the show, he said: "I can't wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we are really putting their culinary skills to the test in this series."
MasterChef's recent controversies
MasterChef has faced controversies in recent years. Gregg Wallace, who spent two decades fronting the show alongside John Torode, stepped away in November 2024 following misconduct allegations. A review upheld 45 of 83 allegations against him, including one involving "unwelcome physical contact". In 2025, Torode was sacked after an allegation that he used "an extremely offensive racist term" was reportedly upheld. John said he had "no recollection" of the term.
After Gregg left the show, food critic Grace Dent joined the line-up. She's continued as a judge on MasterChef alongside Irish chef Anna Haugh and is now appearing on the Celebrity spin-off. She's joined by a brand-new judge on Celebrity MasterChef this year, Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli.
Locatelli's culinary career
After spending time cooking in Italy and Switzerland, Giorgio Locatelli brought his talents to London — and has become one of the most recognisable Italian chefs. A Michelin-starred restaurateur, he first joined The Savoy, where he worked under Anton Edelmann.
Locatelli opened Locanda Locatelli in 2002, with the London restaurant reportedly attracting A-listers — Kate Moss and Brad Pitt were among the stars said to have visited. The doors finally closed in 2025, 23 years on, with "reasons out of our control" cited. Locatelli and his wife, Plaxy Locatelli, have also opened the restaurant Osteria Locatelli in the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing.
Catch Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One tonight (August 18), from 9pm to 10pm.
