GREGG Wallace will reportedly appear on BBC's MasterChef later this year.
The regular series - not MasterChef: Professionals - was in production when Wallace left the show in November.
Wallace stepped aside in December 2024 after a BBC News investigation revealed a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behaviour against him.
The investigation heard from 13 people across a range of ages, who worked across five different shows, including broadcaster Kirsty Wark who appeared on Celebrity MasterChef.
It is believed that MasterChef regular Anna Haugh stepped in for Wallace during the later stages of the competition alongside John Torode.
Australian-born Torode, who has presented the BBC One cooking show alongside Wallace since 2005, said in a statement on Instagram he found the recent reports “truly upsetting” and the “thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear”.
He said: “Since last Friday I have been away filming MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it.
“During the last few days, I’ve been trying to make the best cookery programme, so being busy making the show and caring for our contestants has allowed me little time to think about anything else, but that has been hard.”
He added: “But as I hope everyone appreciates there is an investigation underway, which I fully support, so I cannot make any further comment at this stage and I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward.”
According to TVZoneUK, the BBC still plans to air the series featuring Wallace later this year.
Meanwhile, the BBC announced that Grace Dent is to be a judge for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Award-winning restaurant critic, Grace, has been a regular guest on MasterChef for over a decade, as well as competing as a contestant on last year’s MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023.
Grace is a best-selling author and chart-topping podcaster, with a career in journalism spanning the past 15 years, as well as regularly appearing in food-centred TV and radio shows over the past decade.
Celebrity MasterChef will air this Summer on BBC One and iPlayer.
