Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli has been announced as the new judge on Celebrity MasterChef, replacing John Torode who was sacked from the BBC after allegations of using racist language were upheld. Locatelli, 63, will join restaurant critic Grace Dent on the BBC spin-off cooking programme.
Locatelli, known for judging the Italian version of the amateur cooking show, revealed his strict judging style on the podcast Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware. 'I think I was a bad cop. I’m strict,' he said, adding that he is 'strict about cleanliness and organisation.'
The upcoming 21st series has already been filmed, and Locatelli noted that one celebrity contestant particularly impressed him with the quality of their dishes. 'There was somebody who really surprised me a few times in the positive,' he said, while observing that sportspeople were better at cooking to time compared to those from entertainment backgrounds.
Dent welcomed her new co-judge, saying: 'Giorgio Locatelli is a fabulous addition to our UK Celebrity MasterChef team. I’m a long-time admirer of his work... I also love an opportunity to serve up a heavy dose of glamour in the MasterChef kitchen, and I have a feeling Giorgio is going to give me a real run for my money.'
Previous winners include dancer Vito Coppola in 2024 and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson in 2025. The contestants for the new series have yet to be announced.
