MasterChef has appointed food critic Grace Dent and chef Anna Haugh as its new judges, the show’s producers announced after the departures of longtime panelists Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
According to reporting in The Sun and carried by the Daily Mail, Dent, 51, and Haugh, 44, were chosen to replace Wallace, 60, and Torode, 59. The appointments were revealed amid widespread speculation over who would take over after the former judges were removed from the programme following separate allegations of misconduct.
Wallace was sacked after a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the series, while Torode was dropped from the show after allegations emerged that he had used a racist slur. Torode had served on the show for around two decades. Both departures prompted an internal search for replacements and public debate about the programme’s future direction.
The Sun quoted a television source as saying the appointment of two women represented a notable shift for a show that has historically been dominated by male judges. "It's really exciting that two women are judging the show, especially as, historically, it's been dominated by men, but coming to the decision hasn't been easy," the source told the paper. "Grace and Anna have brilliant chemistry. They know it's a big responsibility and can't wait to deliver for the fans."
Dent and Haugh were reported to have been selected over other contenders, including returning judge Monica Galetti and chef Marcus Wareing. Dent is best known for her work as a restaurant critic and columnist, while Haugh has established a profile as a chef and restaurateur. The Sun and Daily Mail reported the pair had impressed producers during the recruitment process.
MasterChef has been one of the BBC’s flagship entertainment programmes, with iterations including MasterChef: The Professionals and the main amateur series attracting large audiences and launching the profiles of competing cooks and celebrity judges. The departures of Wallace and Torode — both familiar faces on the franchise — marked a rare and abrupt change in the show’s judging line-up.
The move to appoint two women to the judging panel was framed by supporters in coverage as an effort to refresh the series’ image. Producers have not yet published a full statement outlining when Dent and Haugh will appear on screen or how the format might be adjusted for the new panel. The Daily Mail reported it had contacted MasterChef for comment.
Producers of long-running shows frequently weigh chemistry, public profile and experience when selecting judges. Dent’s background in food criticism and Haugh’s culinary career give them different professional perspectives that producers appear to have viewed as complementary. The show’s next series will be watched closely by viewers and critics to see how the new pairing is received and how the programme responds to the departures of its former judges.
Declining to disclose further details of the selection process, the reporting said the recruitment was not taken lightly and represents part of a wider effort to move the programme forward after a period of controversy that led to the exits of two prominent figures associated with the brand.