Who could replace Gregg Wallace? Chefs likely to take on MasterChef from top rival to co-star’s wife

As they wait to find out who will replace Gregg Wallace, Masterchef viewers are in limbo.

Following complaints from people in relation to historical allegations of misconduct, Banijay UK, the production company behind the cooking competition, announced Wallace would be “stepping aside from his role on MasterChef.” The TV star, who was born in Peckham, has vigorously refute the allegations made against him by 13 people over the course of a 17-year period and has previously claimed that the allegations were made by “middle-class women of a certain age.”

Gregg has since apologised for “any offence that]he] caused” by these comments, explaining that he’d felt “under siege”. Now, British brand reputation pro, Andy Barr, has urged MasterChef to find a “new presenter quickly if it is to survive”, explaining: “Although the Christmas Special was cancelled, MasterChef is a global brand, it’s bigger than Gregg, and this beloved programme is unlikely to leave the airwaves for good”.

Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this week that the program and a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off special would no longer be broadcast due to “current circumstances.” Who will bosses be happy for when looking for a replacement with the abundance of talented contenders waiting in the wings? Here, the Mirror takes a look at some of the current favourites…

James Martin

 James Martin
James Martin has a wealth of TV experience (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Saturday Kitchen presenter James Martin is currently tipped as the 5/2 favourite to take over from Gregg, and the appointment likely would come as no surprise. James, who currently fronts Saturday Morning with James Martin, has a wealth of food show experience under his belt, from Junior Bake Off to This Morning, and many feel he would make a good fit in the Masterchef kitchen.

Betfred spokesperson Kayley Cornelius said: “With Gregg Wallace unlikely to return to MasterChef, the big question is who might step into his shoes. At the moment, TV chef James Martin is the bookies’ favourite to take over as the new face of the iconic series, with odds of 5/2. With experience hosting Saturday Kitchen and regularly appearing on This Morning, a prime-time show could be the perfect next step in James’s already impressive career.”

Nigella Lawson

Nigella Lawson
(BBC Studios / Jay Brooks) Nigella Lawson would make a famous choice.

Many would undoubtedly enjoy seeing the one and only Nigella Lawson bring her expertise and distinctive presenting style to the Masterchef kitchen, a true icon of cookery shows. Additionally, odds of 4/1 have been set for the National Treasure.

Nigella, 64, has previously made a number of appearances on Masterchef Australia as a guest judge, but she has previously stated she won’t commit to the show’s permanent home in Australia. As she once explained in an interview with TV WEEK: “I absolutely adore being in Australia, but I wouldn’t move here full-time. My children, my family, and so many of my friends are in the UK. I want to spend two to three months in this place annually. When I’m away from it, I’ll miss it.

Could a proposal from another side of the world tempt her? Fans will just have to wait and see.

Lisa Faulkner

isa Faulkner and John Torode
Fans already know that Lisa Faulkner and John Torode make a great pairing

John Torode’s actress wife, Lisa Faulkner, has long proven herself to be an expert on all things food, with she and John having worked together on various culinary projects. The couple first locked eyes on the set of the 2010 season of Celebrity Masterchef, which saw Lisa emerge victorious above stars such as Jennie Bond and Danielle Lloyd. And it soon became apparent her prowess for cooking was far more than just a flash in the pan.

Lisa, 52, and John, 59, now present John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, with their natural camaraderie proving a hit with viewers. Back in September, they even published a cookery book together, inspired by their hit Sunday morning show.

It may well make perfect sense, therefore, for Lisa to join John in the kitchen – however, it’s unlikely Gregg will be too happy about it. Gregg allegedly unfollowed Lisa and John on social media after being frustrated by John’s initial silence regarding the ongoing investigation.

Greggg is “absolutely furious” and “sure to have done nothing wrong,” according to a source close to The Sun. He has been incredibly irritated by John’s continued silence amid all of this. Gregg and John have known each other for almost 20 years, and Gregg thinks John has a point to make. He has since removed both of them from his Instagram account.

John has since broken his silence on the subject in an Instagram post, but it seems like Gregg didn’t like what he saw. John wrote in a statement released this week that it was “awful to hear anyone who has appeared on our show not having a fantastic experience.” Since last Friday, I haven’t been on location shooting MasterChef overseas. I love my job, and I love MasterChef. It is a part of which I enjoy and will continue to be.

Being busy making the show and taking care of our contestants has given me little time to think about anything else because I’ve been trying to make the best cookery program in the last few days, but that has been difficult.

He continued, “But I can’t make any further comment at this point because I hope everyone understands there is a probe underway, and I fully support that. I hope you all understand and appreciate my silence on the matter moving forward.”

It’s been reported that this response, which did not offer any words of support or even name his fellow Masterchef judge, has” devastated “Gregg. A source told the Express:” Gregg is devastated by John’s response and feels gutted that John isn’t supporting him publicly. His wife’s health is the most important thing to him because he values his children more than anything else.

Meanwhile, back in October, Lisa, claimed that Gregg made ‘ rude joke after rude joke ‘ during her time on the cooking series. While promoting their new cookbook, John and Lisa’s Kitchen, at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Lisa divulged a crude jibe Gregg allegedly told, confessing”, I’m probably not allowed to say this”.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Lisa told attendees:” Gregg just told rude joke after rude joke to the crew. You’re just sitting there, and if you’re on the front bench just chopping away thinking, ‘ I’ve got ten minutes left’, and he’s saying, ‘ So this girl walked into a bar… And I’m going, ‘ Please, I don’t want to hear this joke'”. At 3 / 1, Lisa has the best chance of taking Gregg’s place.

Grace Dent

 Grace Dent
A recent video shared by Grace Dent left followers wondering (BBC)

Food writer Grace Dent is a regular critic on MasterChef, and last year appeared on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics. Appearing to shed tears of joy after the judges complimented her dish, a delighted Grace, 51, told the cameras: “I didn’t realise how emotional I was about it all until they said they liked my food at the end. It lifts all the pressure off you. I just felt lighter and giddy and certainly a little bit proud of myself.”

After sharing a muted clip of herself as a guest judge on the most recent episode of Celebrity Masterchef, which first aired back in September, fans are now calling for Grace to step up and take Gregg’s place. The footage was accompanied by the subtitles:” The brief today is comfort food but with decadence. I want you to feed me skilfully, impress me, but also expand my waistline. “Over the video, Grace wrote” Celeb MC 2024″, tagging hair stylist Lewis Pallett, makeup artist Topaz Knight, and stylist Peter Bevan. Additionally, there are three heart emojis next to Grace.

With her current odds of 5/1, some followers saw this as a sign that Grace was indeed upping the ante. One fan wrote:” New presenter please. “Another, appearing to reference recent remarks made by Gregg, commented:” We need more women of a certain age on our screen. “

Tom Kerridge

 Tom Kerridge
Tom Kerridge recently commented on the allegations made against Gregg (Food Network UK/Jacob Niblett)

TV chef Tom Kerridge is also considered to be in with a shot at the coveted position. Having previously worked on the judging panel of the Great British Menu, Tom, 51, certainly has what it takes to help nurture the next batch of culinary talent.

Tom recently addressed the allegations made against Gregg by saying he had known the judge to be “full of jokes” and was “full of jokes.” Tom said, “I don’t know anything about the allegations, and I have no understanding of the story, aside from the allegations that were made, and Gregg said some things yesterday. And I’m aware that he has apologized for what he said yesterday. I’ve known Gregg for a long time.

“I’ve always known him as a high-energy person who always has something to say that’s entertaining and ongoing, and I’ve enjoyed the time we spend with Gregg when we film together. But in terms of the allegations, I’ve got no real understanding of what’s going on, so I can’t really add comment to it apart from, yes, I know Gregg, and I’ve always known him to have lots of…

” He’s always full of jokes, and he’s always full of charisma. That front of the camera always extends into the background as well.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia. banim@reachplc.com. Follow Mirror Celebs on Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat.

Boomtown Festival makes major change to line-up as fans go wild over ‘epic’ news

For the first time in five years, Boomtown has revealed their lineup to fans. The festival is known for having a limited number of seats sold out in advance, with most lineup announcements coming only a few weeks before the summer festival.

However, this year, embracing the spirit of Chapter 4: Power Of Now, they’ve announced the first wave of acts set to perform at Winchester’s Matterley Bowl from 6th-10th August 2025. With this announcement, Boomtown brings together a diverse range of artists in all different genres and styles.

Boomtown is a ground-breaking force on the global festival scene, presenting a unique experience where creativity and community are at the forefront and the lines between performer and audience are blurred. It’s no wonder Boomtown has three years running won “Best Festival Production” at the UK Festival Awards thanks to its elaborate set designs and spontaneous performances in unusual locations.

In addition to being named ‘ Best European Festival ‘ and ‘ Best Foreign Festival In Northern Europe ‘ at the 2024 Heavent Paris Festival Awards, Boomtown was also chosen as the Major Events Summit’s ‘ Best Non-Sporting Event’, and BBC Radio 1’s ‘ Best Dance Festival UK &amp, Europe ‘ in 2023. Boomtown 2025, an ever-changing event, is set to introduce a stunning new stage that will feature a wide range of 4×4 music: house, techno, and disco. Welcome to ‘ HYDRO’.

Wirral-born James Hype is set to get the crowd going wild
 Sean Paul is headlining the festival
Sean Paul is headlining the festival

The monumental Origin stage’s transformation into an ancient temple, now known as “The Lions Gate,” will be a significant change for the festival. Next summer, Boomtown will once again expand beyond the Downtown bowl area, stretching into the nearby hills, valleys and woods, offering more space, more nature to explore, and more intrigue and discovery.

Following their eagerly awaited new album “Hallucinating Love,” Maribou State will join Jamaican reggae and dancehall legend Sean Paul in kicking off an incredibly diverse lineup with innovative acts from every genre. Additionally, witness the awe-inspiring duos, the breakbeat visionaries Overmono return, and liquid DnB leaders Hybrid Minds’ debut in true pulse-setting style at Boomtown. Also, watch the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter perform at a lively and revitalised punk reunion at Boomtown.

Rising star Nia Archives will deliver a jungle extravaganza, while boundary-pushing rapper-diva Azealia Banks will showcase her avant-garde, house and electronic-influenced flows. Rudim3ntal, one of the top dance bands in the UK, will release a brand-new, visually stunning DJ show in August.

Boomtown bosses have teased the line-up for the first time in five years
For the first time in five years, Boomtown bosses (Jody Hartley) have teased the lineup.

Boomtown is set to pay tribute to genre pioneers this summer, with The Wailers, formed by bassist Familyman Barrett and remaining members of Bob Marley &amp, the Wailers, delivering a reggae masterclass. Boney M, a legend of disco, will also be playing, making for a festival experience unforgettable.

Marea Stamper, better known as The Blessed Madonna, will serve up a joyous set spanning house, techno and disco. Anfisa Letyago’s infectious blend of melodic house and deep grooves will captivate audiences while Joe Orbison’s deep techno and UK bass blend will captivate listeners.

Elsewhere, Pa Salieu will bring his raw grime and dancehall energy for a high-impact performance that’s sure to go off. With their recognizable garage and grime beats, Kurupt FM will light up the stage with their signature humor and infectious energy. Honey Dijon, renowned for her signature house grooves and high-energy DJ sets, is sure to be a standout act. An unmissable combination of raw energy and captivating vocals will be delivered by Kenya Grace.

Frank Carter will perform with the Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols (Getty Images) will perform Frank Carter.

Girls Don’t Sync, Jayda G, and Jyoty will keep the crowd on their feet with their fierce, bass-heavy beats and genre-blending vibes, each bringing their unique spin on electronic music. Prepare for 4AM Kru’s intense industrial techno and 999999999’s chaotic, experimental techno and basslines.

And if you’re still craving more techno, French DJ I Hate Models will mesmerise Boomtown with his raw, industrial, and trance sounds. Nova Twins are set to bring their unique blend of punk, metal, and hip-hop to the stage, with equally energetic performances expected from US hip-hop nu-metallers Joey Valance &amp, Brae and electric dance-punk group FAT DOG.

Boomtown 2024 was a hit with its trad, folk, and folk-punk offerings, so fans will be thrilled with the addition of Irish trad-punks The Mary Wallopers and celtic-infused six-piece Ferocious Dog. At the festival, Brass Against and the raucous Hot 8 Brass Band promise rock and brass performances. And for a bit of fun, The Wurzels will deliver their cheeky, sing-along West Country folk tunes over the weekend.

Fans have since flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their thoughts, with one writing: “What an epic lineup! Can’t wait for the full reveal”! “No other festival comes close I’m telling you now”, said another. Meanwhile a third commented: “That’s a stacked lineup”.

Between Wednesday, August 7 and Sunday, August 11, 2024, Boomtown will take place at Hampshire’s Matterley Bowl. Tickets are currently available for purchase.

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Kate Middleton gives a recycled red outfit a festive update with on-trend bow accessory

Kate Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey earlier today in a stunning red coat, which she has previously worn a number of times. She added an on-trend black bow to the recycled fit this year, which is perfect for your upcoming Christmas look.

We’ve found the best ways to replicate Kate’s look without having to spend a lot of money on expensive pieces that will bring out the same festive cheer for any occasion this December, including her trusty Alexander McQueen maxi.

Kate Middleton’s burgundy maxi coat “signs strength and resilience,” says READ MORE.

READ MORE: Arsenal stars wear the iconic “Gunnersaurus” Christmas jumper, which is 30% off sale.

This red wool maxi coat from Karen Millen is the perfect crown jewel to go with Kate’s carol-service look, starting with the coat, which is typically not available to most people.

This Italian Wool Double-breasted, tailored Maxi Coat is currently available in 6 sizes and 8 colors. It is a replica of Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat, which is frequently wore. Without the designer price tag, it has the same military-like detailing and a tailored fit. This Christmas-red piece is currently up for grabs for £429.

Kate Middleton can steal the holiday look with Karen Millen’s Italian-wood, double-breasted, tucked-in Karen Millen Maxi Coat.

But if you’re seeking a slightly smaller budget, Nobody’s Child offers this Red Double-breasted Wool Blend Coat, which gets as many points for similarity, at the reduced price of £130 in this sale.

Marks and Spencers has the ideal top for all upcoming holiday parties in order to steal the same on-trend accessory Kate used to dress up her go-to coat. It features Kate’s choice of the same large bow accessory for the year. Retailing for £69, you may want to hurry, as this gem is selling out quickly.

For those who prefer versatility, Amazon offers a wide selection of affordable bow accessories that can be easily paired with Kate’s style.

The Duchess can be seen sporting her trusted Ralph Lauren Black Suede High Heel Boots, which she has previously worn with this look. They are always fashionable. However, the boots are no longer available directly from Ralph Lauren. For £1514, you can get a similar design in a leather finish if you’re happy to give up the suede.

L. K. Bennett is selling these Black Suede Slouchy Knee-High Boots for £449 for those in search of affordable alternatives. Or, if you’re keen to copy Kate’s look for less still, Marks and Spencer have these Stiletto Heel Knee-High Boots for £79.

Robbie Williams shares heartbreaking admission as he struggles with parents ill health

Robbie Williams claims that he is struggling with the illnesses of his parents. The singer, 50, told last month how his mother Janet has been diagnosed with dementia whilst his father Pete has Parkinson’s disease. “I’m very busy and not dealing with the situation as I should,” Robbie said. I don’t really know how to do it, it’s an incredibly complicated thing. But I prefer not to go into details… You know, if I say something, they might read it, and then I would have to answer a lot of questions. Let’s put it this way: we are all human beings, with our difficulties, and I am trying to deal with mine”.

In November Robbie spoke for the first time about Janet’s illness. Ihe explained how his loving relationship with his late grandmother, who has dementia, is depicted in his new film Better Man while promoting it.

My mother is currently suffering from dementia, like my nan in the movie, and my father has Parkinsons and is unable to get out of bed at the time. So I’m currently living in a different phase of my life.

Robbie and his parents, who split when he was a young child, are in a special photo (@poppapete299).

Robbie also mentioned in a new interview that getting married to wife Ayda because he was concerned about cheating on her and losing half his fortune was his biggest gamble of his life.

Speaking in Vanity Fair Italy, he explained: The biggest gamble of my life? Marrying my wife, I couldn’t keep my p*nis in my pants. I was hailed as the bad guy in Italy who had destroyed Take That. However, it’s not accurate to say that getting married was essentially a way to lead a monogamous lifestyle.

“And I was aware that I could lose half of my income. That’s why, in practical terms, that was the biggest gamble. But the other one was dreaming. Where I come from, these things don’t happen to people like me.

” And until you dream them, until you try… the Swing When You’re Winning album, Rudebox, the videos, the things I say in interviews, on talk shows: they’re all gambles. Any of them could have been a total disaster or success.

Speaking about his dad’s diagnosis in 2020 during Lockdown for covid, Robbie said:” We’ve got a lot of family issues right now, my dad has got Parkinson’s, my mother-in-law who I love dearly has got a very big illness, we can’t get to them. There are thousands and thousands of miles between my dad. I can see the things that are whirling through my mother’s mind and her eyes as she approaches the age of 80. We have a brand new baby Beau, four children in total. “

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GK Barry issued stern warning by famous pal on what NOT to do after ITV I’m A Celebrity exit

Her best friend has warned GK Barry before she leaves I’m A Celebrity, according to her best friend.

Thanks to her success on the ITV show, the social media star, 25, has a new generation of fans. She had a huge online following before moving to Australia, but it was her first TV show. Grace Keeling, also known as GK, officially kicked off her I’m A Celebrity camp almost three weeks ago when she joined the Loose Women panel over the summer.

Although her close friends in the home country have warned her, she has a shot at becoming the queen of the jungle. GK admitted she reads comments from social media users and earlier in the series, admitted to being famous to her campmates. GK admitted to reading both positive and negative online reviews of herself.

She even stated that when she leaves the camp, she will first go through X to read the public’s opinion of her. Joe Baggs, GK’s best friend and former Gogglebox star, has vowed to stand up for what is happening. In an exclusive chat with the Mirror, he said: “I hope she doesn’t”!

Joe, who has released his own cocktail set called Moist, added: “It is a hard one because I have seen so much support. Being able to say what you want to say on a show like that is difficult. I will tell her when she comes out not to do that]look at the comments]. I will tell her, due diligence on yourself and don’t do it”.

Grace (GK Barry), Joe Bagg
Joe revealed he won’t let GK read the comments (Supplied)
GK Barry
The social media stars are best friends ((Image: Instagram))

He continued: She has had so much support. He and I frequently discuss how he reads the comments on our podcast, and if a bad comment hits you. Overall, I think by the time she comes out, the support overwhelms any form of negative. I think she’d be alright.

Speaking about what it’ll be like when GK leaves the Australian jungle, Joe admitted: “I think it’s going to be a 100% an adjustment. She typically targets this show online because it has reached such a wide range of viewers and people from such diverse backgrounds. She has previously performed Loose Women, and I believe that has helped her stand out among other people.

“I think it would be really amazing for her to also give herself a chance to try something new, especially in the broadcast TV industry,” she said. The unlikely pairing of GK and Reverend Richard Coles impresses TikTok star Joe. The camp’s vicar arrived late, but he quickly developed a friendship with GK after discussing everything from their sexual orientation to religious beliefs to a confession from the royal family.

He said:” It is such an unlikely pairing. I really didn’t see that coming I was thinking when she when in, it was going to be Coleen Rooney]she would be close to] like a mother daughter relationship 100 percent or Maura]Higgins]. The conversations and atmosphere they have going are both very funny, and I think it’s hilarious. I want them to go on a trip together. It would be amazing to have something after I become a celebrity with those two.

Joe’s Moist cocktails, inspired by his Googlebox star mum, can be ordered here.

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I’m A Celeb’s GK Barry went from ‘poor to Porsche’ after finding overnight fame

If GK Barry, a social media star, is able to reach the final on Sunday night and be crowned Queen of the Jungle, she will have already garnered millions of fans in four years.

GK – real name Grace Keeling – rose to fame in 2020 after posting funny skits and commentary on TikTok, building an audience of 3.6 million on the video-sharing platform.

However, the 25-year-old’s vision for fame wasn’t always clear; GK claimed it was “an entirely accidental career for me” because she had not anticipated that her videos would go viral.

GK Barry on I'm A Celeb
GK Barry opened up about her rise to fame in the jungle last night (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The star, from Cambridge, also has 1.5 million listeners on her YouTube podcast, Saving Grace, where she interviews celebs and influencers.

However, despite her success, she insists she was terrified about launching herself into the world of internet entertainment. She explained: “I called myself GK Barry because I didn’t want people from school or university finding my videos. At first, I felt embarrassed about it.

” It’s ironic – when you’re small, a lot of people will judge you for the content you are putting out. However, all those who criticized you want to become your best friend as you get older.

On Loose Women in August, GK made her first major TV appearance. Born in 1999, the year the show began, she was one of its youngest panellists. She claims the gang are the “nicest people ever” despite speculation that she and Frankie Bridge may be at odds with one another.

GK adds:” I never thought they’d have someone like me on there. And I was so nervous when I first started because I thought, ‘ My God, what if no one gets my sense of humour? ‘ Although the audience is very different from the listeners of my podcast, the audience has been very welcoming, and the hosts are all very nice.

Richard questioned GK about her overnight fame and social media success in last night’s I’m A Celeb episode. He questioned, “Grace, how did you suddenly become a homeowner after working in Costa?”

The podcaster replied:” Yeah. “Continuing, Richard queried:” So you didn’t go from poor, poor, poor, a little less poor, a bit more money, you went from poor to rich? “

To which GK answered:” Yeah, pretty quick. And as I was pondering, “I’m making enough money to buy a new car now,” a Porsche passed me as I thought.

“I remember thinking, ‘ I could buy a Porsche and it would not be an issue. ‘ When I visited the center, I was considering replacing an older one that was less expensive, but the new one was perfect.

” I rang my accountant and I was like, ‘ Can I do it? ‘ And he was like, ‘ Yeah’, so I bought it. “

The social media personality, and now TV star, may see her fame and success grow even further if crowned Queen of the Jungle.