Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt is reportedly in line to join the MasterChef judging panel on the BBC, following Gregg Wallace’s departure last year.
Here’s the Lowdown: According to The Sun, Tebbutt may join John Torode on MasterChef next year and could potentially take over from Wallace as host of MasterChef: The Professionals. The upcoming series of the main MasterChef show, which was already in production when Wallace left, will still air with Wallace as planned. Anna Haugh reportedly stepped in to assist Torode for the later stages of filming.
What This Means Now: While nothing is confirmed, there’s a strong possibility of Tebbutt becoming a more prominent figure within the MasterChef franchise. Applications are open for the next series of Masterchef: The Professionals which confirms that Gregg Wallace will be replaced as presenter. Meanwhile, Grace Dent has been officially announced as a judge for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, airing this summer.
The Bigger Picture: Wallace’s exit creates a significant opening within the MasterChef format. The potential addition of Tebbutt, and the confirmed addition of Dent, represent a refreshing of the show’s lineup. It shows that the BBC is actively seeking to maintain the show’s popularity after a major change.
