MasterChef fans have shared their delight online after it was announced that restaurant critic Grace Dent and Irish chef Anna Haugh would be the show’s new judges.
Dent, 51, and Haugh, 44 – chef patron of Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea – will front the BBC cooking competition’s forthcoming 22nd amateur series, replacing long-running hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
The pair stepped down earlier this year after a review into alleged misconduct.
Dent, who has been a guest critic on the show for more than a decade, said she was thrilled to return to the kitchen and ‘unearth what culinary skills people have been cooking up behind closed doors.’
She added that ‘it’s a joy to be working with Anna, who brings all her incredible experience to the table,’ describing the new series as ‘such a treat’ she ‘can’t wait to get started.’
Haugh, who previously judged MasterChef: The Professionals in 2022, said she was ‘delighted to be back’ on the programme and ‘judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I’ve admired for years.’
She added that MasterChef has ‘long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and of course in my industry,’ and said she was eager to get into the studio for what she promised would be ‘a great competition.’
Last year, it was announced that Dent would co-host the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside Torode, after Wallace stepped back temporarily following initial allegations of misconduct. The BBC has not yet revealed its plans for the completed celebrity edition.
Haugh, who runs the acclaimed Myrtle restaurant in Chelsea, is also a familiar face to TV audiences.
She stepped in to replace Wallace in the final episodes of the current MasterChef amateur series, after the allegations against him first emerged during filming last November.
Filming for the next series – which will be the first in two decades not helmed by Wallace and Torode – is scheduled to begin imminently.
Fans were quick to react to the news on X, with user @R_Henders96 writing under the announcement: ‘Both well deserved, looking forward to tuning in!’
@brianlabradood wrote on X, ‘ Perfect! Looking forward to watching,’ while @MusicaLondra added: ‘yes, the right choice. So pleased Anna will be back, she’s a real star.’
@Technobear15 was similarly enthusiastic, posting ‘Superb choices.’
@Foodman62 agreed: ‘Very promising, good choice.’
@misfituser38 chimed in: ‘So glad Anna is back, I really liked her when she stood in for Monica and was a little disappointed when she left. Good to see Grace as her partner in crime so to speak lol 😂’
The official confirmation of the new hosts’ identities comes after a turbulent period for the beloved cooking show.
Wallace, 60, was officially sacked after the bombshell Silkins review, commissioned by MasterChef production company Banijay UK, upheld 45 out of 83 allegations against him, including a case of ‘unwelcome physical contact’.
Torode, 59, has followed him on the way out after confirming that an allegation of racist language included in the report was against him, although he claims to have no recollection of the incident.
In a statement, the BBC revealed Banijay would not be renewing Torode’s contract, meaning that the co-presenters have both been booted from the cooking reality series.
The BBC chose to air the most recent series, which was shot before the investigation, so as not to ruin the hard work put in by the contestants.
The BBC’s statement read in part: ‘After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.’
The statement added: ‘This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.
‘We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.
‘However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.’
The move from the BBC was controversial, with some still boycotting the series, and others asking why they didn’t opt to refilm the season, giving the contestants an opportunity to show their talent, without putting Wallace and Torode on screens.
MasterChef will return on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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