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John Torode Snubs Gregg Wallace and Praises New Co-Host Grace Dent After MasterChef Shakeup

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John Torode shared that he’s enjoying working with his new co-host, Grace Dent, since Gregg Wallace stepped down from MasterChef on BBC due to accusations of inappropriate sexual remarks.

The well-known television personality, aged 59, shared with The Mail during the Fortnum & Masons Food and Drink Awards held at the Royal Exchange: “We’ve been producing MasterChef, an experience that has been delightful and incredibly rewarding.

We’ve relocated to Birmingham now, and Grace and I are really enjoying ourselves. Grace is doing exceptionally well, so things are looking bright for us moving forward.

In December, the BBC officially named a new food critic, aged 51, as a replacement for Gregg, following multiple complaints about his conduct and subsequent termination.

John said he’s remained optimistic throughout the controversy that has besieged the show. 

He went on to say, if you step outside when the sun’s out, the sky is blue, and you can hear birds chirping, then that’s a clear sign of life. In other words, having such experiences provides a truly optimistic viewpoint.

In the meantime, John and his wife Lisa Faulkner (age 53) have been busy creating new shows together. John shared excitedly: “A lot is going on! Lisa and I are putting in a tremendous effort on a few projects, which is fantastic.

‘We’ve had a really exciting meeting about something exciting going on.’ 

He stated: “We’ve completed ten series now, which means things are going smoothly. Let me tell you, our relationship is fantastic, we each follow our individual paths, yet we find joy in each other’s company, we share a love for food, so, in essence, there’s not much to dislike.

Apart from his role on TV, this individual confessed to maintaining a burning enthusiasm for the culinary world. He further stated, “Food is thrilling! There are numerous talented individuals, and everyone needs to eat. It’s an ongoing effort.

Go ahead and brighten up your day! It might not be a walk in the park, but trust me, things will turn out well.

Simultaneously, we’ve all faced challenges, and it’s fortunate when something you love, you’ll likely continue to cherish.

Overwhelmed with excitement, I’ve just learned that my all-time favorite show is packing up and moving to a new location! It’s hard to believe that the show, which has captivated me for two decades, was once headquartered in bustling London. But now, it’s making its grand entrance into Birmingham, taking over the iconic Banana Warehouse on Fazely Street! I can hardly wait to see how this move will shape the future of my beloved show.

John’s gushing remarks come after he dealt Gregg a huge snub by inviting Grace to his home.

For almost two decades, they were a well-known duo on the BBC series, yet they never stepped foot in each other’s homes. However, just weeks after being appointed the new co-presenter, John’s latest partner has already dropped by for tea at his house.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but share this intriguing tidbit: It turns out that at their residence in North London, my beloved Aussie chef and his partner had the esteemed pleasure of hosting Grace from Holby City. In an exciting twist, they got to test their budding judging chemistry together, a sneak peek into what could be a delightful partnership!

I was thrilled when she dropped by for tea, as it had been a while since she visited my home. I expressed my affection, saying something along the lines of “You’re truly cherished.

‘We made Tea and scones, cheese scones, and sticky toffee madeleines.

She’s delightful, and I believe they’ll make an excellent team. In truth, I have confidence in their compatibility because I allowed them to collaborate on a small project when they were together.

At the Ideal Home Show, she remarked: “I believe she will be simply outstanding. For quite some time now, I’ve been an avid admirer of Grace.

In the past, I would receive The Guardian newspaper specifically for her restaurant reviews. It’s been quite some time since then, but I’ve always admired her writing style. I’ve even read some of her books and believe she’s fantastic.

John, the Best Man at Gregg’s wedding, hasn’t shared extensive details about his previous co-host since he left MasterChef in November following claims of his misconduct.

In December, he shared a post on Instagram expressing that the investigations about Gregg’s supposed behavior were deeply distressing for him. He also mentioned that it was disheartening to learn about anyone associated with our program not having a positive experience.

John mentioned: ‘I truly enjoy my work, as well as the show MasterChef. Being a part of both brings me great joy, and I plan to keep contributing.’

For more than ten years, Grace has made frequent appearances as a guest on MasterChef, and just recently, she participated in the 2021 Battle of the Critics competition.

Following her appointment as a co-judge for the upcoming show, she expressed that she has been a devoted fan of MasterChef since her childhood, often watching it alongside her father on the couch. Her entire family shares this enthusiasm for the series.

For me, it’s incredibly meaningful to discover and support people’s talents – and reaching this point feels like more than just a dream come true.

I’m so thrilled I barely have an appetite, but this is problematic for a restaurant critic. I consider myself fortunate to be taking over for the upcoming season of Celebrity MasterChef in 2025. I can hardly wait to encounter the new celebrity contestants!

John mentioned: “Over the years, I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Grace on MasterChef. She’s been a fantastic guest, a motivational judge, and has also devised remarkable challenges.

He went on to say: ‘Skill and talent are at the heart of MasterChef, ranging from the competitors, our talented crew, right up to us as the judges.’

Grace, with her passion for culinary delights, deep-rooted admiration for MasterChef, and undeniable cooking prowess, is an ideal candidate to join me as a judge during the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef competition.

Gregg has been subject to numerous allegations concerning his actions, such as telling off-color sexual jokes, disclosing private aspects of his sexual activities, and reportedly strolling about the set without any clothes on, save for a sock covering his genitals.

Additionally, it’s said that he often removed his clothing around female colleagues on set, engaged in inappropriate flirting with staff members, and faced allegations of unwanted touching from two crew members.

Over a span of 17 years, at least 13 women have lodged formal complaints against this television personality across no less than five different programs, while even more have shared accounts of inappropriate encounters with him on social media following the public disclosure of the scandal.

Previously, it’s been stated by his legal team that there have been no instances where he has acted in a manner considered as sexual harassment.

In light of the controversy swirling around the presenter, the BBC decided to postpone two upcoming Christmas episodes of MasterChef, as the production company Banijay initiated an inquiry into the matter.

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2025-05-07 00:41

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