Celebrity MasterChef has confirmed that acclaimed chef Giorgio Locatelli will join Grace Dent as a judge for the forthcoming series, set to air on BBC One and iPlayer this summer. Locatelli brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as a judge on the Italian version of the franchise since 2018.
With a career spanning over four decades, Locatelli is widely regarded as one of the UK's foremost chefs and a leading figure in Italian cuisine internationally. He earned his first Michelin star in 1999, followed by a second in 2003, cementing his reputation as a culinary heavyweight. Beyond the kitchen, he has presented BBC Two programmes including Italy Unpacked and Sicily Unpacked.
Speaking about his new appointment, Locatelli said: "Hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace is a real honour. 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." Dent, who also co-hosts the main MasterChef series with Anna Haugh, welcomed Locatelli, describing him as a "fabulous addition" and praising his former restaurant Locanda Locatelli as a favourite dining spot.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's head of entertainment commissioning, expressed enthusiasm for the new judging line-up, citing Locatelli's Michelin-starred pedigree and the dynamic screen presence he shares with Dent. The identities of the upcoming celebrity contestants will be announced in due course.
