CELEB Masterchef takes another huge hit as it’s new series is dealt a fresh blow ahead of it’s new judge signing.
The BBC cookery show has seen its ratings plummet after host Greg Wallace’s seething scandal saw him axed from the show.
The 20th series of the hit spin-off kicked off last month, featuring a star-studded lineup that includes Uma Jammeh, Ashley Cain, Chris Hughes and Michelle Heaton.
But it has now been revealed that the cooking show has lost nearly a third of its audience in just one year, and is currently scrambling to top 1.3 million viewers.
This season’s first episode which aired on November 17, reportedly failed to make Barb’s Top 50 programmes of the week.
It has been trailing behind its show rivals, with ITV’s I’m A Celeb pulling in a whopping 9.5 million viewers that same week, followed by Strictly Come Dancing which attracted 8 million, and even Celebrity Race Across the World drawing around 5 million.
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Ever since, the show’s viewing figures have tanked ranging from 1.2 to 1.4 million, a shock contrast from last year when it peaked an audience of 2.6 million.
John Torode currently hosts the show alongside new permanent judge Grace Dent, but it is to be his final series after he was also let go following the conclusion of the BBC’s investigation.
Torode, 60, and Wallace, 61, were both sacked after a formal investigation upheld allegations about the behaviour of Wallace.
Gregg first stepped down from the show in November 2024 after he was alleged to have made sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including BBC presenter Kirsty Wark.
He denies sexual harassment claims but admits using inappropriate language.
The BBC also dismissed John following the report after he was alleged to have made a racist remark.
He recorded the current series of Celebrity MasterChef in March of this year, prior to the release of the report.
It’s now been revealed that BBC bosses have signed Michelin-starred chef and telly food judge Giorgio Locatelli to host Celebrity MasterChef.
Italian restaurateur Locatelli, 62, previously appeared as a guest, and a judge on BBC2’s Big Family Cooking Showdown.
He ran Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli — a magnet for stars, including pop queen Madonna — in London’s Marylebone for 22 years before it closed this year.
A source said: “It’s time for a new era for Celeb MasterChef and bosses think Giorgio is the perfect fit.
“He has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry and has plenty of personality.”
