Giorgio Locatelli announced as Celebrity MasterChef judge

Chef Giorgio Locatelli has been unveiled as the judge for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, alongside restaurant critic Grace Dent.

The Italian chef replaces John Torode, who was sacked from MasterChef after an allegation he used racist language was upheld in July 2025.

Dent shared the news in an Instagram post, which stated: “Introducing my new sidekick for Celebrity MasterChef - Mr Giorgio Locatelli, coming to BBC One soon. Let the games begin.”

In late 2024, the Guardian restaurant critic replaced Gregg Wallace on Celebrity MasterChef.

In May 2025, Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli partnered with caterer Searcys to launch Italian restaurant Locatelli and Bar Giorgio at the National Gallery in London.

It launched following the closure of the Michelin-starred London restaurant Locanda Locatelli in January 2025 after 23 years of trading.

Giorgio grew up in Italy and moved to London in the 1980s to work at the Savoy hotel. He earned his first Michelin star at London’s Zafferano in 1999.