Irish chef to replace Gregg Wallace in new series of MasterChef

Dubliner Anna Haugh set to replace Gregg Wallace as new host

Haugh is no stranger to the programme, as she previously appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and was one of the judges on MasterChef: The Professionals.

Meanwhile, Anna is also owner of the Myrtle, a restaurant in Chelsea that serves predominantly European food with an Irish touch.

Anna has quite the career behind her at just 44 years old. She's also been a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's US show Hell's Kitchen, along with appearances on the BBC's Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen.

In 2024, she published her cooking book, Cooking with Anna.

Now, she'll be replacing former presenter Gregg Wallace in the new series of BBC One's MasterChef.

In November 2024, allegations of misconduct against Gregg Wallace were investigated, leading the presenter to step away from his role on the BBC cooking show. Last month, a statement from MasterChef makers Banijay UK and the BBC said they had agreed that "Mr Wallace's return to MasterChef is untenable", per RTÉ.

Wallace has since issued an apology in which he said he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and that he "never set out to harm or humiliate".

The Lewis Silkin review justified 45 out of 83 allegations made against Wallace.

Torode was also the subject of an allegation regarding racist language that was upheld as part of the same Lewis Silkin review, however, the TV personality claims to have "no recollection of the incident".

Last month, the BBC confirmed the new series of MasterChef, which was filmed last year before any allegations were upheld, would be broadcast this month (August), adding that it had "not been an easy decision in the circumstances".

The BBC continued that "broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process".

"We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series," the BBC added.