I’M A Celebrity star and food critic Grace Dent is set to be announced as Gregg Wallace’s Masterchef replacement by the BBC next week, the Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The witty TV star, 51, who already appears regularly as a guest judge on the show, will host alongside current co-host John Torode, 59, forming a new presenting duo.
It comes after the show’s production firm Banijay UK launched a probe last month after several women complained the TV judge had groped or harassed them.
Despite strongly denying any wrongdoing Gregg, 60, is said to have resigned himself to getting the sack – as we revealed yesterday.
A TV source said: “Grace is the perfect choice to replace Gregg on Masterchef.
“She’s knowledgeable about food and opinionated, plus it’s great to have a woman as a judge on the show. It will shake things up and give the series the boost it needs after such an upsetting and uncertain time.
“She is already a fan favourite and has won lots of respect in the foodie world thanks to her no-nonsense style and sense of humour.
“Bosses love her already, know she is a safe pair of hands and trust her to help steer the ship with John to steadier waters.”
Alongside her successful journalism career as food critic Grace has been doing more mainstream TV, and starred on I’m A Celeb last year.
She walked from the jungle after nine days, citing “medical grounds.”
The news may come as a shock to Gregg, who posted a video blaming “middle-class women of a certain age” for complaining about him earlier this month.
John has hosted Masterchef alongside Gregg since 2005, and was revealed to have previously raised concerns about Gregg’s language and behaviour.
Speaking out about the scandal he wrote on Instagram: “The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear, and I have found the recent press reports truly upsetting.
“But as I hope everyone appreciates there is an investigation underway, which I fully support, so I cannot make any further comment at this stage…’
“I hope that you all understand and respect my silence on the matter moving forward.”
At the start of this month, The Sun revealed how the BBC received complaints about Wallace’s behaviour from as early as 2014.
He was accused of making sexual remarks during his 2014 stint on Strictly Come Dancing when paired with pro Aliona Vilani.
John publicly distanced himself from Gregg in 2017 and said in an interview they were no longer pals.
Since the latest allegations came to light, Wallace unfollowed John and his wife Lisa Faulkner on Instagram.
At the time, pals told us Gregg was upset John did not publicly back him amid the scandal.
Then last month ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark and 13 other people came forward to say they had raised concerns.
Kirsty, 69, said she spoke to MasterChef after Wallace made “sexualised jokes” when she was on the show in 2011.
Other allegations include Wallace talking openly about his sex life, taking off his top in front of a junior staffer and telling another young colleague he was not wearing any pants.
One woman told The Sun Wallace was made to apologise after making a “joke” about rape in 2017.
Another alleged Wallace groped her when she appeared on Masterchef.
And Emma Kenny, the 2012 MasterChef winner, said she witnessed him touching another contestant and raised a complaint.
Banijay UK launched its inquiry and on November 28 confirmed to The Sun that Wallace was stepping away pending the review.
A spokeswoman for Masterchef declined to comment.
