Matt Tebbutt, the BBC One Saturday Kitchen presenter, has been named as a judge on the upcoming 18th series of MasterChef: The Professionals, replacing Gregg Wallace.
Tebbutt, 51, will sit alongside existing judges Marcus Wareing, 55, and Monica Galetti, 50. The trio will be joined by a series of guest judges who are scheduled to appear during the first stage of the competition.
The announcement comes after Wallace, 60, was sacked by the BBC following an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct. The probe reportedly upheld 45 of 83 allegations made against Wallace relating to his time on the amateur version of MasterChef and other roles with the franchise. Wallace, who had also co-presented Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, issued an apology in the wake of the investigation, saying he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and that he "never set out to harm or humiliate."
Tebbutt, a chef and television presenter, is best known for hosting Saturday Kitchen and has previously appeared across food and lifestyle programmes. His appointment brings experience both in front of the camera and in professional kitchens to the judging panel as the BBC prepares the next series of the cooking competition.
Producers have said that the forthcoming series will feature the core judging trio along with rotating guest judges who will participate in early stages, a format designed to broaden the range of culinary expertise presented to contestants. Filming schedules and the broadcast date for the 18th series have not been confirmed.
The decision to replace Wallace follows months of scrutiny over allegations made to the broadcaster and to industry bodies. The BBC carried out an investigation into the complaints; details provided by those involved and the broadcaster led to Wallace's dismissal. Wallace’s apology was issued after the findings were reported.
MasterChef: The Professionals, a long-running fixture in British food television, pits experienced chefs against one another in timed technical and creative challenges judged by established culinary figures. The show’s format and judging panel have been central to its reputation for professional standards and high culinary expectations. The addition of Tebbutt is the latest change to the programme’s personnel as it prepares to return to screens.