Top News

Grace Dent has expressed her gratitude to fans following her first appearance on Celebrity MasterChef.

Earlier this year, following allegations against Gregg Wallace which threw the BBC programme into turmoil, it emerged that Grace would be joining John Torode as co-host.

The I'm A Celebrity personality was subsequently announced as the new presenter of MasterChef, working alongside Anna Haugh for the forthcoming civilian series, scheduled to air after the 20th edition of the celebrity version concludes.

Wallace was axed from the BBC after 45 out of 83 complaints made against him were substantiated, whilst Torode has also been dropped by the BBC following accusations that he used "an extremely offensive racist term".

In a statement, Torode indicated he had "no recollection" of the allegation and confirmed that Celebrity MasterChef would be his final series, having been pre-recorded with Grace, reports Wales Online.

After making her debut, with fans branding her "the perfect addition", the critic took to social media to respond to their support.

She wrote: "AND WE'RE OFF... thank you for supporting me on the most public first day at work ever!!! CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF ON BBC1 is off to a TERRIFIC start.

"Yes, I lost an earring in Ginger's marinade, but you can't keep a good girl down! MORE EPS THIS WEEK!! PLEASE stay tuned! I love this show and I'm proud to be at the helm."

One fan replied: "Last night I started watching Masterchef again after taking a 2 or 3 year break. Your presence has restored and rejuvenated it! Go, Grace!"

Another said: "Brilliant and the origins of the red dress please."

Someone else wrote: "Loving you in it, you rock and you roll with it. Can't wait for the rest."

Another fan wrote: "You were great! Well done! Breath of fresh air!!"

One added, "We are in our Grace Era now, and I am 100% here for it. Magnifique!"

Prior to her MasterChef judging debut, Grace posted on her Instagram: "One of the saddest parts for me about what has happened in the last two years is watching something that I love, and I know is pretty damn perfect, be kicked repeatedly.

"I want to be at the helm of this show, and I want us to be back in the headlines for all the right reasons."

Grace will be joined by presenter Anna Haugh for the upcoming amateur series of MasterChef, it was announced earlier this year.

In a release after their roles were confirmed, Grace said: "I'm over the moon to be coming back to the MasterChef kitchen and unearthing what culinary skills people have been cooking up behind closed doors. It's a joy to be working with Anna, who brings all her incredible experience to the table. I am in for such a treat with this series, I can't wait to get started."

Anna added, "I'm delighted to be back on MasterChef and judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I've admired for years. MasterChef has long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and, of course, in my industry. I can't wait to get into the studio for what will be a great competition."

Celebrity MasterChef is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.