MasterChef returns to BBC One tonight (Tuesday, April 21) with a new series and two new judges. Renowned chef Anna Haugh and restaurant critic Grace Dent take over after the departures of Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
Gregg Wallace was axed last year after law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 of 83 complaints against him over inappropriate behaviour. The 61-year-old said he was “deeply sorry for any distress” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”. John Torode did not have his contract renewed by Banijay UK after he was alleged to have used racist language during an investigation into his former co-star. A BBC spokesperson confirmed Torode denied the allegation, saying he has no recollection and believes it did not happen.
Since leaving MasterChef, Wallace has not appeared on television but recently hosted a 12-hour live cooking show on TikTok called Gregg’s Kitchen. He has also confirmed a move to Italy, telling Instagram followers he plans to leave the UK by the end of this month. “I’ve always loved Italy and we plan to move around and rent in different places,” he said, adding that he will home-school his son Sid with help from autism specialists.
John Torode continues to host ITV’s John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen with his wife Lisa Faulkner. The couple are also releasing a new cookbook in September, titled John & Lisa’s Weeknight Dinners, which promises “delicious” recipes using everyday supermarket ingredients.
MasterChef airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One. The first heat features six cooks competing for a white apron, with two awarded for their Signature Dish and two more via the Classic Recipe Test.
