John Torode supports ‘excellent’ Gregg Wallace replacement amid BBC MasterChef probe: ‘Perfect person’

John Torode has responded to the news of Gregg Wallace’s replacement on BBC MasterChef.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Grace Dent, 51, would be stepping in on the cooking show as a judge following Wallace’s “misconduct” probe.

Wallace and Torode had starred on the competition show since 2005, fronting the series as amateur cooks attempt to impress them.

Following a recent storm which has seen Wallace, 60, at the centre of multiple allegations regarding his behaviour, which has seen at least 13 women have made formal complaints about Wallace across five shows over a 17-year period.

The controversy recently saw Wallace stepping back from Celebrity MasterChef while an investigation is conducted into his behaviour.

The accusations against Wallace include claims he made inappropriate sexual jokes and shared intimate details of his sex life.

More serious allegations suggest he walked around set naked except for a sock, and would take off his clothes in front of women on set.

He has also been accused of groping two crew members and flirting with members of staff.

Additional women have described inappropriate experiences on social media since the scandal broke.

Wallace’s lawyers have denied any allegations that he has engaged in behaviour amounting to sexual harassment.

The BBC has already cancelled two planned Christmas specials of MasterChef amid the publicity storm, as show producers Banijay conduct their investigation.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed Dent would be starring alongside Torode, 59.

Breaking his silence on the change, the cook stated: “I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years.

“She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges.”

He continued: “Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our wonderful production team, to us as judges.

“The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and that unquestionable expertise, makes Grace the perfect person to step in alongside me as judge for the forthcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.”

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Dent had appeared on the show a few times as a guest judge, and will now be starring in the upcoming series of the celebrity edition.

Speaking recently after the allegations were first made public, Torode commented: “The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear.” He went on to state he “fully supports” the investigation.

On her sign-up to the show, Dent commented on Wednesday: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it.

“It’s all about uncovering and championing talent and to have ended up in this position, is more than a dream to me. I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic.

“I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef. I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”