Frontrunner to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef revealed after long-time judge steps down-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

A celebrity chef is now the favourite to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef (Picture: BBC/ Shutterstock)

The favourite to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef has emerged after the long-time judge stepped down.

The TV presenter, 60, joined the franchise with John Torode when it launched in 2004, also going on to front the spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals.

However, after 20 years on the show, this week it was announced Wallace would be ‘stepping away’ after the BBC launched an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct against him.

He’s been accused by 13 people who have worked with him over the years of making inappropriate sexual comments while three women have also claimed he groped them in different incidents on and off set.

While the next season of the show is believed to have wrapped up filming recently, there’s already been speculation about who might replace him if he doesn’t return to the series.

According to bookies, a celebrity chef who succeeded Wallace as one of the hosts of Saturday Kitchen is the likely contender – James Martin.

Wallace had presented the series alongside John Torode since it began in 2004 (Picture: BBC/ Shine TV)

For two seasons beginning in 2002, Wallace fronted the BBC cooking series before it was relaunched a year later with Antony Worrall Thompson in 2003 at the helm.

Three years later James took over hosting duties, going on to present it for the next decade.

Since 2017 he’s presented ITV’s Saturday Morning with James Martin, as well as a string of other cooking shows for the broadcaster.

However, he’s now considered the favourite to take over on the BBC’s flagship cooking programme.

James Martin has the best odds at taking over the role (Picture: Jeff Spicer/ Getty Images)

Bookies BetFred have priced him as favourite, with odds of 5/2 to replace Gregg, as reported by The Sun.

Trailing behind him are John’s wife Lisa Faulkner (who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2010) with odds of 3/1, Nigella Lawson at 4/1 and Gino D’Acampo at 5/1.

‘With Gregg Wallace unlikely to return to MasterChef, the big question is who might step into his shoes,’ Betfred spokeswoman Kayley Cornelius said.

‘At the moment, TV chef James Martin is the bookies’ favourite to take over as the new face of the iconic series, with odds of 5/2.

He previously presented Saturday Kitchen (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)

‘With experience hosting Saturday Kitchen and regularly appearing on This Morning, a prime-time show could be the perfect next step in James’s already impressive career.’

Banijay UK, the producers of MasterChef, previously said Wallace was ‘committed to fully cooperating’ with the external review while his lawyers strongly denied ‘he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

This week John released a statement, sharing he would not comment further on the allegations while the investigation continues.

‘Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it,’ he began.

Wallace stepped down from the BBC show last week (Picture: BBC)

‘During the last few days, I’ve been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard.

‘The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, and I have found the recent press reports truly upsetting.’

He went on to ask people to ‘understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward.

Despite their long-standing professional relationship, seven years ago John declared he and Wallace ‘aren’t really friends’.

Metro has contacted the BBC and representatives for James Martin for comment.

MasterChef is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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