Gregg Wallace's replacement on MasterChef: The Professionals announced

Gregg Wallace's replacement on MasterChef: The Professionals has been announced, after the judge was sacked following an independent review.

Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt will step into Gregg's shoes, presenting and judging alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti.

The official Instagram account for Masterchefuk wrote, "We're delighted to announce that @matt.tebbutt is joining @marcuswareing and @galettigram as judge on the next series of #MasterChefTheProfessionals." Fans have been reacting to the exciting news with one person writing, "That's absolutely incredible. @matt.tebutt is a natural!" A second person wrote, "No way! That is excellent news! Well done @matt.tebbutt - good choice."

A third person commented, "Great news!" Matt Tebbutt is to be a judge for the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti on the beloved BBC show."

Tebbutt told the BBC, "It’s an absolute honour to be working alongside these two titans of the food world. 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!’

Wareing 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.”

Meanwhile, Galetti said, “To have Matt join us is really exciting. Seeing what skills our contestants showcase and tasting their culinary creations is always a delight - Marcus and I look forward to welcoming Matt to the MasterChef studios and discovering our next champion.”

The show was reportedly set to air last month, however, an official start date has yet to be announced.

His appointment comes in the wake of MasterChef co-hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode being removed from the series following the outcomes of a formal independent investigation.

Wallace was sacked after an inquiry – led by law firm Lewis Silkin on behalf of production company Banijay UK – found 45 out of 83 allegations against him to be substantiated, including instances of inappropriate sexual language, states of undress, and one case of unwelcome physical contact. John Torode was also removed after an independent finding confirmed a complaint involving a racist remark from 2018 or 2019 - despite his insistence that he had no recollection of the incident.

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