Giorgio Locatelli Steps in as John Torode’s Replacement on Celebrity MasterChef

Giorgio Locatelli has been confirmed as the new judge for Celebrity MasterChef, filling the void left by John Torode after the BBC terminated his contract last year. The acclaimed chef and restaurateur, who currently features on the Italian iteration of the amateur cooking format, will join critic Grace Dent for the upcoming UK celebrity edition, a series that has already wrapped production.

Accepting the role, Locatelli described the appointment as "a real honour." He expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming episodes, stating, "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."

Grace Dent welcomed Locatelli to the panel, calling him a "fabulous addition to our UK Celebrity MasterChef team." She noted that she has been a "long-time admirer" of his work and joked about the dynamic they would create together. "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," she quipped.

Locatelli’s arrival comes in the wake of significant controversy surrounding the show’s previous leadership. Torode was dismissed following an allegation that he had used a racist term, an accusation he maintained he had "no recollection" of. His departure followed that of co-presenter Gregg Wallace, who was let go after an independent investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin upheld 45 allegations of misconduct against him. Wallace apologized for any distress caused, clarifying that he "never set out to harm or humiliate." While Wallace was replaced by Dent, Torode’s role on the main amateur MasterChef series was taken over by Anna Haugh.

Reflecting on the filming process, Locatelli admitted to the Table Manners podcast that he adopted the persona of a "bad cop." "I'm strict. Strict about cleanliness and organisation. Those little skills that you teach them slowly," he explained.

Although the cast for the new series remains under wraps, Locatelli highlighted the varying abilities of the participants. Speaking with podcast hosts Jessie and Lennie Ware, he noted that one contestant, in particular, stood out for the quality of their cooking. "There was somebody who really surprised me a few times in the positive. It was good fun to do, it was really good fun to be with them," he said.

He also observed distinct differences in how various professions handled the pressure of the kitchen. "The people who worked in entertainment found it so difficult to cook to the time," Locatelli reflected. "The sportspeople always hit the time. Their life is run by time, while the other people are all about creativity."

The spin-off series challenges celebrities to complete various cooking tasks, with judges evaluating their skills until a single winner emerges to claim the Celebrity MasterChef trophy. Locatelli brings a prestigious resume to the show, including a Michelin star and early-career experience at the Savoy, before founding notable establishments such as Olivo, Zafferano, Locanda Locatelli, and Locatelli at the National Gallery.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-03 08:44:04 UTC