TV host and chef Matt Tebbutt will replace Gregg Wallace as a judge on the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals.

Matt, 51, best known for hosting BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, will join chefs Marcus Wareing, 55, and Monica Galetti, 50, for the 18th series of the cooking competition.

The trio will also be joined by a range of guest judges on the programme who will appear in the first stage of the competition.

It comes after Gregg, 60, was sacked following a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the amateur series, MasterChef.

Gregg, who also co-presented its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, issued an apology saying he was ‘deeply sorry for any distress caused.’

He added that he ‘never set out to harm or humiliate’ in the wake of an investigation which upheld 45 out of 83 allegations against him.

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TV host and chef Matt Tebbutt will replace Gregg Wallace (pictured) as a judge on the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals

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Matt, 51, best known for hosting BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, will join chefs Marcus Wareing, 55, and Monica Galetti, 50, for the 18th series of the cooking competition

Speaking ahead of the upcoming series, Matt said it was ‘an absolute honour’ to be working alongside Marcus and Monica, who he described as ‘titans of the food world’.

He added: ‘Their knowledge and uncompromising attitude is now the stuff of legend and I look forward to them taking me under their wing, and seeing the chefs get off to a flying start in the competition.’

Meanwhile, Marcus said: ‘I’m really looking forward to working with Matt and his experience, both on screen and in the industry, speaks for itself.

‘This show is all about showcasing and celebrating the best up-and-coming talent emerging from our country’s professional kitchens,

‘And Matt, Monica and I will be expecting the highest standards from our chefs this year. I can’t wait for what will be a fantastic next series.’

Monica added: ‘To have Matt join us is really exciting. Seeing what skills our contestants showcase and tasting their culinary creations is always a delight.

She concluded: ‘Marcus and I look forward to welcoming Matt to the MasterChef studios and discovering our next champion.’

The most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals, which featured Gregg, continued to air last year amid the allegations against him.

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Speaking ahead of the upcoming series, Matt said it was ‘an absolute honour’ to be working alongside Marcus and Monica, who he described as ‘titans of the food world’ (pictured on Saturday Kitchen)

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Meanwhile, Marcus said: ‘I’m really looking forward to working with Matt and his experience, both on screen and in the industry, speaks for itself’ (pictured with Monica Galetti)

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Fans and celebrities alike were delighted with the news

However, two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials were pulled from the BBC’s schedule in December 2024.

David Ambler, MasterChef executive editor, said: ‘It’s a great pleasure to welcome Matt on board for the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals.

‘His career as a chef, restaurateur and food broadcaster makes him an ideal choice to join this year’s judging line-up and we can’t wait to discover the crop of exciting new talent.’

The news comes after Daily Mail reported that Gregg is now earning around £1,000 a week thanks to his new personal training business following his unceremonious sacking from the BBC.

The disgraced MasterChef host began his new venture last month.

And after just a month in business, Gregg has already increased his fee by £50 to £250 and has signed up more than 20 clients.

While Gregg has reinvented himself and is earning a very comfortable £5,000 a month, it is a far cry from his £400,000 BBC salary.

Gregg, who is married to fourth wife Anne-Marie Sterpini, has promised to help others achieve their fitness goals after the TV personality shed five stone three years ago.

The father of three announced he was personally training clients to improve their ‘wellness’ for a £200 a month price – before upping his price just weeks later.

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It comes after Gregg was sacked following a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the amateur series, MasterChef

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He is now earning around £1,000 a week thanks to his new personal training business following his unceremonious sacking from the BBC

In a video posted to Instagram, he explained: ‘You do not have to accept decline as a part of getting older. You can do something about this. You can be leaner, fitter, healthier, [and] have more energy.

Gregg continued: ‘I went on my own wellness journey and I am healthier at 60 than I was at 30.

‘I coach people over 50. I help them feel better and look better and have more confidence. If you would like to speak to me about your own health journey, leave me a message here.

‘1 to 1 coaching for £250 a month. Sometimes you just need a guiding hand to help you along the way. That’s what I do, I coach people.

‘I now coach over 20 people successfully. I do have some slots, not very many, if you would like to be coached by me to one to one to a better, healthier you, direct message me.’