I’m A Celebrity star ‘to be announced as Gregg Wallace’s MasterChef replacement’-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Gregg Wallace’s MasterChef replacement has reportedly been revealed (Picture: BBC)

An I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star is said to be announced as the replacement for Gregg Wallace on MasterChef.

The BBC presenter, 60, has stepped back from the programme following several allegations made against him while an investigation is underway.

Wallace faces accusations of making ‘inappropriate sexual jokes’ and lewd comments on set, asking for the phone numbers of female members of production staff, and undressing in front of and standing ‘too close’ to women working on his shows.

Further allegations claim he groped three people in different incidents, that he ‘mimicked sex acts’ and walked around the studio almost ‘completely naked’, with more than 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year-period making complaints.

It’s also claimed that he sexually harassed his ghost-writer with ‘thigh rubs’, while several women have spoken out, including Ulrika Jonsson and Kirsty Wark.

Wallace and his lawyers have fiercely denied the allegations, saying ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

While he did appear on pre-recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals which aired last week, the BBC shelved this year’s celebrity Christmas specials.

It now remains unclear if the next season of the main series, which recently finished filming, will still air in Spring 2025.

However, the future of the show is reported to include Grace Dent, as it’s been said the I’m A Celebrity star will be announced as his replacement.

The 51-year-old regularly appears as a guest judge on the programme, and will reportedly co-host alongside John Torode, 59, as a new presenting duo.

Grace Dent will reportedly be announced as the new MasterChef judge (Picture: David Hartley/Shutterstock)

The food critic quit I’m A Celebrity last year (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

A source told The Sun: ‘Grace is the perfect choice to replace Gregg on Masterchef.

‘She’s knowledgeable about food and opinionated, plus it’s great to have a woman as a judge on the show.

‘It will shake things up and give the series the boost it needs after such an upsetting and uncertain time.

‘She is already a fan favourite and has won lots of respect in the foodie world thanks to her no-nonsense style and sense of humour.

‘Bosses love her already, know she is a safe pair of hands and trust her to help steer the ship with John to steadier waters.’

John Torode has been presenting MasterChef with Gregg since 2005 (Picture:: BBC/Shine TV)

Other contenders who have been tipped to replace Wallace include James Martin and Nigella Lawson, while Snoop Dogg has also thrown his hat in the ring.

This comes after claims that Wallace reportedly ‘knows his time on the show is over’ amid the investigation, and ‘expects to be sacked’ regardless.

‘Gregg’s conceded he has lost everything. To put it bluntly, he’s told people, “I’m f***ed”,’ a source told The Sun.

‘He came out swinging, but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside.

‘He has contested the sexual allegations and insisted any jokes he made were just jokes. He said he never meant to cause any offence.’

Wallace reportedly ‘knows his time on the show is over’ amid the investigation (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

They added: ‘Gregg has been under a huge amount of pressure since the allegations came to light and tried his best to fight his corner.’

The inside added that as much as it ‘pained’ Wallace, he ‘knows the time will come when he has to step aside… it seems he has come to terms with it’.

A source meanwhile told MailOnline that Wallace ‘accepted his TV career is basically at an end’ and was being ‘quite reflective and pragmatic’ about the investigation.

Wallace has been a co-presenter and judge on MasterChef since 2005 alongside Torode, who put out a statement last week, saying he would not comment further on the allegations while the investigation continues, but stressing how much he loves MasterChef.

‘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 said.

Metro has approached the BBC and reps for Banijay UK for comment.

MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More