Race to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef as TV chef, stunning star and previous show winner are backed for BBC job
THE race to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef is beginning to heat up.
Last month Gregg, 60, stepped down from the BBC show as the Beeb launched an investigation into allegations of historical misconduct.
The Sun revealed how Gregg previously came under fire when “inappropriate sexual comments” were reportedly made to a female BBC staffer on Impossible Celebrities.
Since then, 13 people who have worked with the star across a range of shows over a 17 year period have accused him of making sexual comments.
Gregg’s long-term future on the show remains unclear, but it has been confirmed that MasterChef will air for at least another four years.
So who could potentially take over from Gregg? Let’s take a look…
Gino D’Acampo
PRO: The This Morning star is funny, an experienced chef and viewers love him.
A man of the people who won’t hold back when it comes to his opinions on the contestants’ food.
He won’t be shy if he doesn’t like what he sees.
CON: Gino’s no stranger to double entendre – so if the BBC is looking to step away from rude jokes, they might want to swerve the Italian star.
Bookies odds on Gregg's replacement
According to Bet Fred, James Martin is the favourite to replace the star.
The bookmaker’s public relations officer Kayley Cornelius has said: “With Gregg Wallace unlikely to return to MasterChef, the big question is who might step into his shoes.
“At the moment, TV chef James Martin is the bookies’ favourite to take over as the new face of the iconic series, with odds of 5/2.
“With experience hosting Saturday Kitchen and regularly appearing on This Morning, a prime-time show could be the perfect next step in James’s already impressive career.
“Other names in the mix include Lisa Faulkner at 3/1, Nigella Lawson at 4/1, and both Grace Dent and Gino D’Acampo at 5/1.”
James Martin – 5/2
Lisa Faulkner – 3/1
Nigella Lawson – 4/1
Grace Dent – 5/1
Gino D’Acampo – 5/1
Monica Galetti – 8/1
Marcus Wareing – 8/1
Gordon Ramsey – 8/1
Tom Kerridge – 10/1
Delia Smith – 12/1
Lorraine Pascale – 12/1
Dame Mary Berry – 16/1
Dame Prue Leith – 16/1
Lisa Snowdon – 20/1
Paddy McGuinness – 33/1
James Martin
PRO: James is a very well known TV chef who has his own show James Martin‘s Saturday Morning, which airs on ITV.
He is the perfect candidate as he runs a number of restaurants around the UK and is also the author of over 20 cookbooks.
It’s clear that food is a real passion of his.
CON: Despite being popular with viewers, in July last year, he was allegedly warned by ITV following claims he’d reduced crew members to tears.
So again, the BBC may want to stay clear.
Nigella Lawson
PRO: Nigella is a food writer and TV cook with plenty of experience.
She’s a natural behind the camera and has worked with the BBC a number of times.
It would also be great to see a woman co-host the popular show.
CON: Nigella is a fan of cheeky innuendos. Could she be a bit too sexual with them after what has happened?
Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief
GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation?
Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark – accusations he denies.
The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated.
Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the “women of a certain age” who he claimed were behind the allegations.
The cooking show’s production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged misconduct.
Lisa Faulkner
PRO: Actress Lisa will be able to connect with the contestants because she knows exactly what it’s like to be in their shoes.
The star won the celebrity version of the BBC show back in 2010, beating Christine Hamilton and Dick Strawbridge in the final.
Since her win she has become a popular TV chef who has published cook books and hosted cooking shows.
Not only that, she’s also married to MasterChef host John Torode – meaning that she’ll have great chemistry with him on set.
CON: But the fact that Lisa and John are a married couple might not go down well with some viewers.
Grace Dent
PRO: Grace is another famous face who could do the job.
She has appeared on MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals and Celebrity MasterChef as a critic for many years.
So similarly to Lisa, she knows how everything works and will be a a
Not only that, Grace has done the same for BBC Two‘s Great British Menu.
So that means that the star knows exactly what she’s talking about.
CON: Unlike the others, Grace isn’t actually classified as a chef, and is just a critic.