Chef and restaurateur Giorgio Locatelli has reportedly been confirmed as John Torode’s replacement on Celebrity Masterchef and will host the show alongside food critic Grace Dent
Michelin starred chef Giorgio Locatelli is to replace John Torode on Celebrity Masterchef(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
A Michelin-starred chef is set to replace John Torode on Celebrity MasterChef. It comes five months after the star lost his position on the show after a BBC investigation found he had used racist language. But now, BBC bosses have reportedly found a replacement – step forward, Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli.
The top chef and restaurateur has had experience hosting cooking shows as a judge on Family Cooking Showdown. The 62-year-old chef has produced meals for a host of celebrities, including Madonna, at his Marylebone restaurant, which he held for 22 years, before its closure earlier this year. A source revealed that it’s now time for a “new era” for the show, and bosses believe that Giorgio is the “perfect fit.”
John Torode and Gregg Wallace were axed from the BBC show in July following a BBC investigation(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Shine TV)READ MORE: ‘Perfect’ Christmas Day dress that shoppers will ‘wear for years to come’ now £28
The source continued to tell The Sun: “He has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry and has plenty of personality.” Giorgio will host the show alongside food critic Grace Dent, who had previously been on the show as a guest and boasts years of experience in cooking technique and a sought-after palate.
Grace, 52, replaced Gregg Wallace after he too was sacked from the show following a separate investigation by the broadcaster, which confirmed allegations about his behaviour while hosting the show. At the time of the investigation, both Gregg and John denied the allegations made against them.
Earlier this month, John admitted to seeking the help of a professional in a bid to cope with the “grief” of losing his job on the BBC show. John had been a presenter for 20 years, and it was where he met his wife, Lisa Faulkner, as she appeared on the show as a hopeful.
Food Critic Grace Dent has been named as the Celebrity Masterchef replacement of Gregg Wallace(Image: BBC)
Now, in his online newsletter, A View From The Fridge, wrote: “Fear is the instinct that keeps us alive, but should grief and fear meet each other, I wonder how much damage it can do when we decide to shut it away, shut it down, and not let it flow as it should. I have tried to set myself a schedule to write a new newsletter each week, finding a rhythm, in my tumultuous physical, illogical and physiological state of mind, has not been easy.”
He went on to say: “What is becoming easier is being able to talk and to vocalise how I feel as I come to terms with the past five months and the impact it has had. Life has changed forever for me and for those close to me. There is no sympathy searching here, just honesty. “
“Each newsletter, I get a little braver. Over the past few months, I have been honest, following on from what was a very unexpected and brutal life change. So, thank you for supporting my newsletter and allowing me to get it out.” John was recently on a work trip to Qatar without his wife Lisa by his side and revealed it was the first time he had been able to fully digest his public sacking while on his own.
He said that being away from his wife led to him “facing his grief alone”, which had been “cathartic but tough.” Gregg, meanwhile, launched a High Court claim against the BBC and one of its subsidiaries for “distress and harassment”.
He was claiming up to £10,000 in damages from the BBC and BBC Studios Distribution after his axe from the show. He was dismissed from the show following an independent investigation into historical allegations of misconduct. The report found 45 allegations of misconduct were substantiated, including inappropriate language and humour.
In its defence filed at the High Court, Jason Pobjoy KC, for the BBC, said: “It is denied that the claimant has suffered any distress or harassment as a result of the responses of the BBC.”
He continued, according to PA: “It is denied that the claimant is entitled to any damages, interest or other relief, whether as pleaded or otherwise.” The broadcaster also denied that Mr Wallace has “suffered any distress or harassment” as a result of its responses. While documents also allegthat e Wallace failed to give the BBC prior notice of his intention to file legal proceedings.
Mr Pobjoy also said it was “admitted and averred that primarily due to the lack of proportionality and scale”, the BBC had not provided Mr Wallace with “a substantive response” within three months.
He continued that after designating the request as complex, the BBC responded to Mr Wallace on October 7, providing him with a copy of his personal data, which he was entitled to.
The Mirror has approached the BBC for comment.
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