JOHN Torode made no mention of his shamed MasterChef co-star Gregg Wallace as his successor was revealed.

Today the BBC confirmed that restaurant critic Grace Dent, 51, will replace Wallace for series 20.

John Torode and Grace Dent didn't acknowledge Gregg Wallace in their latest MasterChef statements
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John Torode and Grace Dent didn’t acknowledge Gregg Wallace in their latest MasterChef statementsCredit: BBC

Food critic Grace has replaced Gregg for series 20
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Food critic Grace has replaced Gregg for series 20Credit: PA
Australian chef Torode was slow to put out a statement after it was revealed the BBC was launching an investigation into claims of Wallace’s alleged misconduct over a 17 year span.

When he finally did address the fallout, there were no words of support for his under fire co-host.

Now he has welcomed Dent into the role and is relishing working with her.

He said: “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.

“Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our wonderful production team, to us as judges.

“The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and that unquestionable expertise, makes Grace the perfect person to step in alongside me as judge for the forthcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.”

Dent, who starred on I’m A Celebrity last year, has been a guest star on the programme for years and even tried her hand in the famous kitchen last December.

She impressed both Torode and Wallace with her butter chicken dish and their compliments reduced her to tears.

Today she said: “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.”

Meanwhile we recently revealed 60-year-old Gregg considers his telly career all but done after becoming embroiled in the scandal which has seen a number of women accusing him of making inappropriate comments.

A source told us: “Gregg’s conceded he has lost everything. To put it bluntly, he’s told people, ‘I’m f***ed’.”

“He came out swinging but he has quietly conceded that he knows his time on MasterChef is over and that he will be stepping aside.”

Gregg is said to believe his TV career is over after misconduct allegations
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Gregg is said to believe his TV career is over after misconduct allegationsCredit: BBC