Seasoned food critic and I’m a Celebrity star Grace Dent is tipped to take over Gregg Wallace’s spot in the iconic MasterChef kitchen.

An insider has claimed that the esteemed culinary critic, 51, is set to join forces with John Torode, aged 59, on the culinary show, with cameras ready to roll by the end of summer. This claim follows the sacking of Gregg Wallace, aged 60, who said he wouldn’t “go quietly” following his dismissal from the hit BBC programme amid dozens of misconduct allegations, many of which he vehemently denies.

A source told the Sun that Grace Dent, who previously filled in for Wallace on Celebrity MasterChef, is “a natural fit” and “loves to support up-and-coming talent in the industry and loves the format of the show.”

The insider revealed: “Filming is expected to start at the end of the summer through December. They are also filming at new studios in Birmingham, so it will be a fresh start all round.”

Grace, who made a splash on I’m a Celebrity in 2023 but had to bow out after nine days due to medical reasons, gushed when she was confirmed for Celebrity MasterChef last December: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa.

“My whole family watches it. It’s all about uncovering and championing talent, and to have ended up in this position is more than a dream to me. I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic.

“I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef. I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”

John Torode lavished praise on his colleague: “I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges.”

The news emerged just days after Gregg issued a furious statement on social media, reports the Mirror. He claimed that Silkin’s Report into his alleged misconduct “exonerates him of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year.”

In a lengthy post shared on social media, he wrote: “I’ve taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkins report – a decision I do not take lightly. But after 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.

“I have now been cleared by the Silkins report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me. The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”

He continued: “My decision to go public now is also driven by the fact the BBC News division are intending to platform legally unsafe accusations, including claims which have already been investigated and not upheld by the BBC and found not credible by Silkins. The BBC is no longer providing balanced and impartial public service journalism.”

The scathing statement read: “It is peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories. The BBC is choosing to allow BBC News to run with this uncorroborated tittle tattle in an attempt to ‘get ahead’ of the Silkin’s summary report and derail what has been an extremely thorough process.”

A BBC spokesperson stated: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”