Gregg Wallace Out as Anna Haugh Steps In for MasterChef 2025 Finale

New Season of MasterChef 2025 Faces Controversy with Host Changes

The upcoming season of MasterChef 2025 has sparked significant debate, particularly due to the inclusion of former hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode. However, the final episodes will see a shift as Wallace is replaced by Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh. This change comes in response to allegations of inappropriate behavior that emerged during filming last November.

This week marked the launch of the first three episodes of the series on BBC iPlayer. The first episode will air on BBC One this evening, followed by the next two episodes on Thursday and Friday. According to reports, Wallace will not appear in the series after the semi-finals, with Haugh stepping in for the remaining episodes.

Anna Haugh, known for her role as host of the BBC cookery show Big Irish Food Tour, has previously appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and served as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals alongside Wallace and Marcus Wareing. She has also made appearances on Gordon Ramsay's US show Hell's Kitchen and as a chef on BBC's Ready Steady Cook. Additionally, she often shares her culinary expertise on daytime shows like Saturday Kitchen.

On her show Big Irish Food Tour, Haugh travels with celebrity friends to explore the history of Irish cuisine and try various recipes. Notable guests have included TV presenter Laura Whitmore, comedian Katherine Ryan, and presenter Angela Scanlon. In May 2019, Haugh opened Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London, which offers modern European and Irish-influenced cuisine.

Meanwhile, Grace Dent, a restaurant critic and TV personality, has been brought in to replace Wallace on the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, which has already been filmed. Wallace’s removal from MasterChef came after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologized “for any distress caused,” stating that the report cleared him of “the most serious and sensational accusations.”

John Torode, Wallace’s co-host, was also involved in an allegation regarding the use of racist language, which was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin review. However, Torode expressed that he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the accusation.

When the BBC announced the 2025 series would be broadcast despite the controversy surrounding its hosts, a statement emphasized that it was “not an easy decision in the circumstances.” The corporation added 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 recognized and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”

However, the decision regarding the celebrity series and the Christmas special remains pending. The current series features six amateur chefs, with both hosts appearing in the opening episode. In the first episode, Wallace says: “Light the stoves, get yourselves a clean apron, and let’s find some talent.” The usual banter between the hosts and the chefs appears to be significantly reduced.

In an interview with The Sun last month, Wallace apologized to anyone hurt by his behavior but insisted he is “not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher.” He stated, “People think I’m a sex pest. I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment.”

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