I’m A Celebrity star and food critic Grace Dent is to be announced as Masterchef Gregg Wallace’s replacement by the BBC next week, the Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The witty TV star, 51, who already regularly appears as a guest judge on the show, will host alongside current co-host John Torode, 59, forming a new presenting duo.
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BBC to announce Grace Dent as Masterchef replacement Gregg Wallace next weekCredit: Instagram
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Wallace is said to have resigned himself to being fired – as we revealed yesterdayCredit: PA
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Grace starred in I’m A Celeb last year Credits: ITV
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Co-host John Torode publicly distanced himself from Gregg in 2017 and said in an interview that they were no longer friends Credit: BBC
It comes after the show’s production company Banijay UK launched an investigation last month after several women complained they had been groped or harassed by the TV judge.
Despite strongly denying any wrongdoing, Gregg, 60, is said to have come to terms with the sacking – as we revealed yesterday.
A TV source said: “Grace is the perfect choice to replace Gregg on Masterchef.
“She’s knowledgeable about food and she’s confident, plus it’s great to have a female judge on the show. It’s going to shake things up and give the show the boost it needs after such an upsetting and uncertain time.
“She’s already a fan favorite and has gained a lot of respect in the foodie world thanks to her easy-going style and sense of humor.
“The bosses already love her, they know she’s a safe pair of hands and they trust her to help steer the ship with John into more stable waters.”
Alongside her successful journalism career as a food critic, Grace has worked more in mainstream television and last year starred in I’m A Celeb.
She left the jungle after nine days, citing “medical reasons”.
The news may come as a shock to Gregg, who earlier this month posted a video accusing “middle-class women of a certain age” of complaining about him.
John has co-hosted Masterchef with Gregg since 2005, and it was revealed that he had previously raised concerns about Gregg’s speech and behaviour.
Grace Dent posts her video on MasterChef following Gregg Wallace’s comments
Speaking about the scandal, he wrote on Instagram: “The thought of anyone appearing on our show not having a brilliant track record is horrifying and the recent press reports have really upset me.
“But I hope everyone understands that the investigation is ongoing, which I fully support, so I can’t make any further comment at this stage…”
“I hope you all understand and respect my silence on how we move forward.”
Earlier this month, The Sun revealed how the BBC had been receiving complaints about Wallace’s behavior since 2014.
He was accused of making sexual remarks during a performance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 with professional Aliona Vilani.
In 2017, John publicly distanced himself from Gregg and said in an interview that they were no longer friends.
Since the latest allegations came to light, Wallace has unfollowed John and his wife Lisa Faulkner on Instagram.
At the time, friends told us Gregg was upset that John didn’t publicly support him amid the scandal.
Then last month former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and 13 other people came forward to say they had raised concerns.
Kirsty, 69, said she spoke to MasterChef after Wallace made “sexualised jokes” while she was on the show in 2011.
Other allegations include Wallace being open about his sex life, taking off his shirt in front of junior staff and telling another young colleague not to wear trousers.
One woman told The Sun that Wallace was forced to apologize after she “joked” about the rape in 2017.
Another alleged Wallace groped her when she appeared on Masterchef.
And Emma Kenny, the 2012 MasterChef winner, said she witnessed him touching another contestant and lodged a complaint.
Banijay UK launched its own investigation and confirmed to The Sun on November 28 that Wallace was standing down pending a review.
A spokeswoman for Masterchef declined to comment.
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