Matt Tebbutt Departs MasterChef: The Professionals After Single Series Stint
Matt Tebbutt, the Saturday Kitchen presenter, has announced his exit from MasterChef: The Professionals after serving as a judge for just one series. Tebbutt joined the BBC cookery competition in February 2026, stepping into the role previously held by Gregg Wallace, who was dismissed from the franchise following historic misconduct allegations.
Replacement for Gregg Wallace Following Scandal
The long-running show has been embroiled in controversy in recent years after Wallace was let go over multiple complaints about his conduct. A total of 83 allegations were made against Wallace, with 45 upheld in a July 2025 report, including claims of unwelcome physical contact and inappropriate sexual language. Wallace initially sued the BBC for damages but discontinued his claim ahead of a hearing last month, with no payment received from the broadcaster.
Tebbutt, a 52-year-old chef-turned-food-presenter who trained under Marco Pierre White and Alastair Little, was brought in to replace Wallace on the currently airing 2026 series. He joined fellow judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti on the panel, bringing experience from running his own pub and presenting on shows like Saturday Kitchen.
Confirmation of Exit and Future Role
On Wednesday, 11 February, Tebbutt confirmed via Instagram that he will not return in a full-time judging capacity for the next series. "A lot of lovely people have contacted me about not doing the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals," he wrote. "I was only ever doing one series and I loved judging on it and will continue working with MasterChef." Reports indicate that Tebbutt will come back as a guest judge on future series, maintaining a connection with the programme.
Wallace first stepped away from MasterChef in late 2024 after the BBC received numerous complaints. He was replaced by restaurant critic Grace Dent on the celebrity edition and dropped as an ambassador for the charity Ambitious about Autism. His departure marked a significant shift for the franchise, which has relied on stable judging panels over its run.
Impact on the Show and Broader Context
The exit of Tebbutt adds another layer of change to MasterChef: The Professionals, which has faced scrutiny over its handling of the Wallace scandal. The BBC's decision to uphold many of the allegations against Wallace led to his firing, sparking legal action that was later withdrawn. Tebbutt's brief tenure highlights the ongoing adjustments within the show's production and judging lineup.
As the series continues to air, viewers will see Tebbutt in his sole series as a judge, with future episodes expected to feature a new full-time replacement or adjustments to the panel structure. The show remains a staple of BBC programming, but these recent developments underscore the challenges in maintaining consistency amid personnel controversies.
