It appears that Grace Dent is set to be joined by a fresh face in the MasterChef kitchen this year.
The BBC has confirmed that Michelin-starred, award-winning chef Giorgio Locatelli is the newest judge to come aboard the celebrity edition of the programme.
That said, Giorgio is no stranger to the much-loved series, having served as a judge on the Italian version of MasterChef since 2018.
Reflecting on his new role, Giorgio said: “Hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace is a real honour.
“I can’t wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we are really putting their culinary skills to the test in this series.”
Meanwhile, his new co-presenter had only glowing words when discussing Giorgio’s arrival on Celebrity MasterChef, reports Wales Online.
View 4 ImagesGiorgio Locatelli is no stranger to the MasterChef world(Image: 2024 Stefania D’Alessandro/GETTY)
Grace Dent said: “Giorgio Locatelli is a fabulous addition to our UK Celebrity MasterChef team. I’m a long-time admirer of his work and was a huge fan of Locanda Locatelli; for many years, it was one of my happy places to eat.
“I couldn’t be happier to combine our shared joy, passion, and expertise for food. I also love an opportunity to serve up a heavy dose of glamour in the MasterChef kitchen, and I have a feeling Giorgio is going to give me a real run for my money.”
Giorgio’s career stretches across a remarkable four decades, and he is widely regarded as one of the finest and most celebrated chefs in the UK. The 63-year-old first received a Michelin star back in 1999, going on to earn a second just four years later in 2003.
View 4 ImagesGrace is thrilled to have Giorgio join the BBC show(Image: BBC)
The BBC has confirmed that the new series will make its return this summer, with a fresh lineup of famous faces set to battle it out in the kitchen against one another.
Fans will have to sit tight a little longer, however, before finding out which celebrities will be stepping up to the plate and following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Ginger Johnson.
Giorgio is the latest addition to the judging panel on the BBC programme, following the dismissal of John Torode after an allegation against him using “an extremely offensive racist term” was upheld.
View 4 ImagesGiorgio is replacing John Torode after his axe from the BBC show(Image: BBC)
Addressing his departure at the time on Instagram, he said: “Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay, I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef. I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of. The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong.”
He subsequently added: “Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it’s time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have.”
Previous episodes of Celebrity MasterChef are currently available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer