Grace Dent stepped in to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef, before John Torode was later sacked from the show over a separate matter
John Torode with Grace Dent and Gregg Wallace(Image: BBC)
John Torode has revealed what he really thinks about his former MasterChef colleague Grace Dent. The food critic joined John as his new co-presenter on Celebrity MasterChef in 2025, following Gregg Wallace’s departure from the programme.
The duo went on to host Celebrity MasterChef together for a single series before John was also axed from the show, after allegations emerged that he had used an “extremely offensive racist term” at a wrap party in 2019.
John stated in a public statement that he has “absolutely no recollection of any of this” and that “racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.
He was subsequently removed from the programme and replaced by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli, who continues to front the show alongside Grace.
Reflecting on his time working with Grace, the Australian chef revealed he “loved working with her”, though he admitted he was reluctant to watch himself back on screen.
“I watched it very, very infrequently because hearing your own voice is weird,” he told The Times. “But right now, I don’t think it’s necessary for me to watch it.
“What I will say is that I love Grace and I loved working with her,” he continued. “I want the legacy of MasterChef to survive for the champions and the 2,500 people who walked through those doors and I got the privilege to meet.”
Reflecting on that chapter drawing to a close, John acknowledged it had been “stressful”, saying: “It’s going to be hard. There’s going to be the bad and ugly, but there’s a lot of good out there and I want to celebrate the good.”
He also revealed he remains in contact with people he worked alongside on MasterChef, though confirmed this did not extend to his former co-presenter Gregg.
He told the publication: “When we filmed, we filmed, and when we didn’t, we weren’t in touch. Why would it change now?”.
Gregg was formally dismissed as a MasterChef presenter last year after an investigation into misconduct allegations.
Production firm Banijay UK appointed a law firm to examine his conduct, with the investigation assessing 83 complaints covering a 19-year timeframe from 2005 to 2024. Of these, 45 allegations were upheld.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I know I have said things that offended people… I understand that now – and to anyone I have hurt, I am so sorry. I don’t expect anyone to have any sympathy with me but I don’t think I am a wrong ‘un.”
He subsequently said of John’s dismissal: “There is no way that man is a racist. No way. And my sympathies go out to John because I don’t want anybody to go through what I’ve been through.”
This evening, the three Celebrity MasterChef finalists will prepare and serve a three-course meal for Grace and Giorgio, in the hope of being crowned this year’s winner.
Celebrity MasterChef airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
