Here’s everything we know about new MasterChef judge Grace Dent ( Picture: David Hartley/ Shutterstock)
After much speculation, it’s been confirmed Grace Dent will be replacing Gregg Wallace on MasterChef.
Earlier this month it was revealed the BBC had launched an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct by Wallace, 60, who hosted the show since it launched in 2005.
Soon after it was announced he had stepped aside, with rumours quickly swirling who could be set to step up.
It’s now been revealed Grace, 51, will be fronting the next season alongside John Torode.
Announcing the news, Grace said being offered the position was ‘more than a dream to me’.
Before she takes on the job, here’s everything we know about the columnist, broadcaster, author – and now presenter.
Who is Grace Dent?
After studying English Literature at university, Grace began writing features for Cosmopolitan, with her first job after graduation being an editorial assistant for Marie Claire magazine in London.
She began her career writing for magazines and newspapers (Picture: Dave Benett/ Getty Images)
Then becoming a freelance journalist, Grace contributed to Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire, as well as writing a weekly column in More! magazine.
In subsequent years she worked for the Daily Mirror, The Guardian, The Independen,t and the London Evening Standard.
Since 2018 she’s also been the restaurant critic for The Guardian. She’s been ‘mainly vegan’ since the early 2010s as well.
Throughout her career Grace has written over 20 books, with her first It’s A Girl Thing published in 2003.
Grace appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last year (Picture: ITV/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
She’s also presented various BBC radio programmes as well as nine seasons of the celebrity food podcast Comfort Eating.
On screen she’s also appeared on MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals, and Celebrity MasterChef.
Other shows Grace has featured on include Great British Menu, Very British Problems, Have I Got News for You, and Richard Osman’s House of Games.
Last year she also signed up for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! however left the jungle after nine days for ‘medical reasons’.
When did Grace Dent join MasterChef?
Grace joined MasterChef as a co-judge in 2024 after appearing as a regular guest since 2014. She also competed as a contestant on last year’s MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023.
After a decade appearing on MasterChef, she will now be a judge alongside John Torode (Picture: BBC/ PA Wire)
When the news of her casting was announced she said: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, John, 59, said he had ‘loved’ working with her over the years and she’d been an ‘excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges’.
She previously appeared on several episodes alongside both John and Gregg Wallace (Picture: BBC)
‘Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our wonderful production team, to us as judges,’ he continued.
‘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.’
A source had previously told The Sun she was the ‘perfect’ choice of replacement.
‘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,’ they said.
Is Grace Dent married?
While Grace largely keeps her private life out of the spotlight, she is in a relationship with partner Charles.
She is in a relationship with partner Charles (Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/ Getty Images)
The couple first noticed each other on social media, sharing mutual friends before following each other on Instagram.
It took them two years to actually meet up but soon after they began dating.
Grace previously spoke about her partner on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time, sharing: ‘With my man, Charles, I think almost every day whenever I look at him, “How did I pull this off?”’
Although the pair don’t live together, Grace did reveal that Charles is around her house all the time.
‘The reality is he’s in my house most of the time, making a mess, eating food from my fridge and being looked after,’ she told the Evening Standard.
Grace doesn’t have children, previously saying that while she liked them, she didn’t like them ‘enough’ which she admitted ‘still feels like a radical thing for a woman to say’.
‘And children do like me, too. I have a big capacity for silliness, plus I resemble a sort of claymation witch, which they find intriguing. But I didn’t ever truly want one,’ she added.
Celebrity MasterChef will air on BBC next year.
This article was originally published on November 27, 2023.
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