MasterChef is on the lookout for new judges after both Gregg Wallace and John Torode were axed by the long-running BBC series. The duo were dropped after internal investigations.
The pair had been judges on the show since it was revived in 2005 , but it was announced on Wednesday July 15) that complaints against both had been upheld by the BBC. Wallace faced accusations of sexual harassment, while Torode was sacked after an allegation that he used “an extremely racist term” was upheld, BBC News reported.
Grace Dent had previously been announced as stepping in for Wallace on the 2025 series of Celebrity MasterChef. However now the Beeb are looking for two judges and plenty of major names have been rumoured.
A new series of MasterChef starts tonight (August 6) on BBC One at 8pm, featuring John and Gregg. The Beeb explained the decision to air the episodes here.
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A couple of frontrunners have emerged according to the bookies and the latest odds feature some very high profile celebrity chefs and presenters. The list of favourites, via Gambling.com, looks like this:
5. James Martin - 2/1
TV chef James Martin is pretty much synonymous with weekends at this point - from Saturday Kitchen on BBC to James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV. He is now among the favourites to join MasterChef as a judge. He is 2/1 to join the cast of the BBC show via Gambling.com. | Lars Baron/Getty Images Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images
6. Big Zuu - 15/8
One of the big rising stars in the food TV world is presenter/ rapper Big Zuu and he is among the favourites to join MasterChef. He has presented Big Zuu’s Big Eats on Dave since 2020 and previously co-hosted Hungry For It on BBC Three. He is 15/8 to be a judge on MasterChef via Gambling.com. | Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Virgin Media Photo: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Virgin Media
7. Chris Stark - 13/8
Capital Breakfast co-host Chris Stark is among the favourites to join MasterChef. He might be best known for his work on the radio, but Chris is 13/8 to be one of the replacements on MasterChef via Gambling.com. | Jordan Peck/Getty Images Photo: Jordan Peck/Getty Images
8. Tom Kerridge - 6/4
Another name that needs no introduction to MasterChef fans, Tom Kerridge is one of the biggest name chefs in the country in 2025. He has been a judge on The Great British Menu since 2022 and has appeared on MasterChef in the past. He is 6/4 to be a new judge on MasterChef via Gambling.com. | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images