{"id":982,"date":"2025-07-22T10:40:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/?p=982"},"modified":"2025-07-23T09:44:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T09:44:42","slug":"masterchef-has-missed-a-trick-with-its-safe-choice-new-hosts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/masterchef-has-missed-a-trick-with-its-safe-choice-new-hosts\/","title":{"rendered":"MasterChef has missed a trick with its \u2018safe choice\u2019 new hosts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The BBC has confirmed it has no plans to work with Wallace again (Picture: BBC\/Shine TV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gregg Wallace and John Torode<\/a> have barely been kicked out of the kitchen, and already MasterChef<\/a> has reportedly found their replacements.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019re surely aware by now, the MasterChef presenters were both sacked last week following an independent review, sparked by misconduct accusations against Wallace<\/a>. After 45 of the 83 complaints against Wallace were upheld<\/a>, he was swiftly dropped.<\/p>\n

The BBC<\/a> has confirmed it has no plans to work with Wallace again.<\/p>\n

Hours later, Torode admitted he\u2019d been accused of using racist language (the specific allegations are that he used the <\/em>N-word<\/a>)<\/strong>. He stressed that he had \u2018no recollection of the incident\u2019, which is concerning in itself<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Typically, when a double act has presented a show together for 20 years, I\u2019d say those are hard shoes to fill. Strangely, though, Wallace and Torode had no chemistry. I always found them quite unlikeable \u2013 even Torode admitted he and Wallace weren\u2019t friends.<\/p>\n

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Wallace (right) and Torode (left) had no chemistry (Picture: Anthony Devlin\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great news, then, for whoever takes the reins going forward<\/a>. It\u2019s a safe bet they\u2019ll steer MasterChef in an exciting new direction \u2013 one that will no doubt be a vast improvement.<\/p>\n

Who could be taking over MasterChef?<\/h2>\n

According to The <\/em>Sun, MasterChef could, understandably, be playing it safe with Saturday <\/em>Kitchen\u2019s Matt Tebbutt and Great <\/em>British <\/em>Menu presenter Andi Oliver<\/a> stepping up to take the vacant positions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t my first choice. Last week, I wrote that food critics and MasterChef stalwarts Grace Dent and Jay Rayner<\/a> would make the perfect replacements for Torode and Wallace. <\/p>\n

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I think they\u2019d make a great team. <\/p>\n<p>Matt is the safest pair of hands imaginable; his popularity on Saturday<em> <\/em>Kitchen is pretty much guaranteed proof that he\u2019s a hit with viewers. He\u2019ll either bring in a new audience or, at the very least, retain the one already there.<\/p>\n<p>I get it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"410\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23681078 lazyload\" alt=\"Matt Tebbutt\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/PRI_149173756-39ea-e1752699584952.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Matt (pictured) is the safest pair of hands imaginable (Picture: BBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Andi, meanwhile, is one of the best \u2013 if not the best \u2013 chefs and presenters we have. She brings effortless warmth and maternal energy to everything she does. She\u2019s so talented, I find it unbearable that I can\u2019t reach into the television and grab a handful of whatever she\u2019s cooking. She\u2019ll bring a high energy to MasterChef that it\u2019s been starved of.<\/p>\n<p>She may be an obvious signing \u2013 but it\u2019s also a stroke of genius.<\/p>\n<p>Given the current state of MasterChef, now threatened by the alleged grotesque behaviour of two men, it isn\u2019t just a relief to hear it will be getting a feminine touch \u2013 it\u2019s vital.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23681090 lazyload\" alt=\"Andi Oliver\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_237926231-5512.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Andi (pictured), meanwhile, is one of the best \u2013 if not the best \u2013 chefs and presenters we have (Picture: BBC \/ Optomen Television Limited \/ Gemma Sharman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But why stop there? When there are so few shows led by a pair or team of women, this would have been the perfect opportunity to break the mould \u2013 with the two women I genuinely believe are best for the job.<\/p>\n<p>I still <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/14\/inside-masterchef-star-grace-dents-career-private-life-replaces-gregg-wallace-2-23657529\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/14\/inside-masterchef-star-grace-dents-career-private-life-replaces-gregg-wallace-2-23657529\/\">stand by Grace<\/a>. She\u2019s already replaced Wallace on Celebrity<em> <\/em>MasterChef, which she filmed with Torode \u2013 but now that he\u2019s followed his co-host out the door too, who knows if we\u2019ll see that series? Either way, I have total faith that Grace will have been excellent in it.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, Grace shouldn\u2019t get the job because she\u2019s a woman. That\u2019s not how television works \u2013 clearly \u2013 nor many other industries.<\/p>\n<p>But Grace and Andi together wouldn\u2019t just have made a powerful statement by replacing Wallace and Torode with two women of a \u2018certain age\u2019 \u2013 they would have made a refreshing and brilliant new pairing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"339\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23658455 lazyload\" alt=\"For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of John Torode and Grace Dent. The restaurant critic will judge the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside Torode, it has been announced. Dent, 51, will judge the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef following news last month that Gregg Wallace will step away from the role amid an external review into historical allegations of misconduct. Issue date: Thursday July 25, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Masterchef. Photo credit should read: BBC\/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_233643640-b40f.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>She\u2019s already replaced Wallace on Celebrity<em> <\/em>MasterChef (Picture: BBC\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Aside from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, I can\u2019t think of another female duo who were paired together, rather than climbed the ranks as a double act like Mel and Sue or <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/02\/17\/dawn-french-addresses-possible-return-for-french-and-saunders-16125061\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/02\/17\/dawn-french-addresses-possible-return-for-french-and-saunders-16125061\/\">French and Saunders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It just doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n<p>Teams of male presenters? Can\u2019t get enough of them. They\u2019re everywhere and always have been \u2014 Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May; Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy on Sunday<em> <\/em>Brunch; <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/02\/21\/noel-fielding-told-f-k-off-great-british-bake-off-co-star-20324056\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/02\/21\/noel-fielding-told-f-k-off-great-british-bake-off-co-star-20324056\/\">Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding<\/a>, who didn\u2019t work but somehow still lasted longer than they should have.<\/p>\n<p>MasterChef is one of the BBC\u2019s biggest shows, and I wouldn\u2019t suggest bringing in new presenters <em>just<\/em> to make a statement. They have to be the right fit for the show and its audience.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"400\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23650012 lazyload\" alt=\"Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay\/ITV\/Shutterstock (15371777a) Grace Dent 'Loose Women' TV show, London, UK - 24 Jun 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_256671969-7fca-e1752488306275.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>I\u2019ll be really disappointed not to see Grace on that line-up<strong> <\/strong>alongside Andi (Picture: Ken McKay\/ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section class=\"metro-comment-cta\">\n<div class=\"metro-comment-cta__inner\"><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text-wrap\"><title>Comment now<\/title><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text\">Who do you think should present MasterChef? Have your say in the comments below<\/span><\/span><a class=\"metro-comment-cta__button\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\">Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>But I\u2019ll be really disappointed not to see Grace on that line-up<strong> <\/strong>alongside Andi. They could have been an unexpected but wonderful new direction for MasterChef.<\/p>\n<p>To stress: From what I\u2019ve seen of Matt on Saturday<em> <\/em>Kitchen \u2013 which admittedly isn\u2019t loads, but enough to know he\u2019s perfectly pleasant and incredibly charming \u2013 I have no doubt he\u2019ll be a great addition to MasterChef.<\/p>\n<p>I just think the BBC is missing a trick by not giving the job to Grace.<\/p>\n<p>No doubt she\u2019ll still pop up with the odd guest appearance as a food critic, sending contestants into a tailspin \u2014 but she\u2019s always been too punchy and fun to keep on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p>She should be \u2014 and always should have been \u2014 a full serving.<\/p>\n<p>Whoever ends up being named as the replacements for Torode and Wallace, rest assured: They\u2019ll turn up the heat in the MasterChef kitchen, and we\u2019ll be left with a much more palatable dish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing <a href=\"mailto:jess.austin@metro.co.uk\">jess.austin@metro.co.uk<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Share your views in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom-start\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom centered\"><\/section>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom-end\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom centered\"><a class=\"comment-now metro-button metro-comments-cta\" data-vars-position=\"bottom_cta_question\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><title>Comment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"comment-now__label\">Who do you think should present MasterChef? Have your say in the comments below<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The BBC has confirmed it has no plans to work with Wallace again (Picture: BBC\/Shine…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=982"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":991,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/982\/revisions\/991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}