Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli made his debut as the new host of Celebrity MasterChef on Tuesday night, replacing axed presenter John Torode alongside Grace Dent.
The 63-year-old Italian restaurateur joined the BBC culinary competition following the sensationally public dismissals of former presenters Torode and Gregg Wallace.
As the new series kicked off, food writer and restaurant critic Grace Dent introduced her new colleague to the studio. "Let me introduce one of my favourite chefs from Italy and our new MasterChef judge Giorgio Locatelli," Dent exclaimed as the broadcast began.
Locatelli took a starring role in the first episode, leading the celebrity contestants through a hands-on cookalong to teach them how to make homemade gnocchi. Competing in the kitchen for round one of the series were comedian Joe Pasquale, Love Island star Shakira Khan, Olympian Emily Campbell, singer Jay McGuinness, and television and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.
Viewer reactions to the new host
Following the broadcast, viewers took to Twitter to express mixed feelings about the updated line-up, with several audience members stating they still missed the original presenting team.
Some social media users lamented the absence of Torode and Wallace, who had fronted the franchise together for two decades. "I still miss John and unfortunately Gregg but still love Grace," wrote one viewer. Another fan commented: "Am sorry but this show is nothing without these two..". A third viewer echoed the sentiment: "Miss the guys but love Grace".
Other viewers questioned whether Locatelli suited the celebrity spin-off format. "Ok not loving #giorgiolocatelli jumping on the celebrity chef bandwagon," posted one user, while another wrote: "Not sure about Giorgio as a presenter, Grace is carrying it."
One commenter joked about the host's vocal delivery, asking: "Is that just John torode just talking with an Italian accent!?" Another accused the chef of expecting professional standards from amateur cooks, writing: "Has anyone told Giorgio he’s on #CelebrityMasterChef and not the normal Masterchef professional show?"
Audience praise for the updated format
Despite the critical posts, a significant number of fans expressed strong support for Locatelli and commended the refreshed atmosphere on the show.
Positive comments highlighted Locatelli's charm and compared the dynamic to international versions of the show. "Well I have to say I’m liking Giorgio!" wrote one fan, while another posted: "I like this new Master Chef judge". A third viewer remarked: "It's good that the show has changed the format and is more like masterchef Australia. Im liking Georgio and grace presenting".
Other posts expressed enthusiasm for the new presenting partnership. "Loving the duo of Grace and Giorgio on #CelebrityMasterchef such a refreshing presentation these days, will start watching again," declared one audience member. Another added: "Grace and Gioiorgioio are more fun than John and Greg. Should be a fun series."
Background of presenter dismissals
Locatelli joined the programme after 60-year-old Australian chef John Torode was axed by the BBC in July 2025 following two decades on the show. The broadcaster removed Torode over allegations that he used the N-word during a work night out.
In the same month, Torode admitted that he had been accused of misconduct but denied all wrongdoing. The chef stated that he was "shocked" by the allegation, which reportedly claimed he used racial language in a social setting.
Torode was let go shortly after his longtime co-presenter Gregg Wallace was also dismissed by the corporation in July 2025. Wallace was removed after allegations surfaced claiming he had made "sexual comments to 13 colleagues".
Wallace denied the claims and publicly condemned the corporation in a social media post, stating he had been cleared of "the most serious and sensational accusations". Both presenters were subsequently removed from the program.
Grace Dent replaced Wallace on the celebrity series of MasterChef last year, shortly before Torode was removed from the show. In September, the BBC announced Dent and 45-year-old chef Anna Haugh as the judging panel for the latest series of MasterChef.
