Giorgio Locatelli Joins Celebrity MasterChef as Co-Host

Celebrity MasterChef's new co-host has been revealed as Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli.

The Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, 63, joins on the show and will replace following his sacking by the broadcaster last year.

In a statement revealed as the news broke on Wednesday, Giorgio expressed his excitement at joining forces with journalist and food critic Grace, 52, for the new series which has already been filmed and kicks off this summer.

Giorgio shared: 'Hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace is a real honour. I can’t wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we are really putting their culinary skills to the test in this series.'

Meanwhile, Grace said of Giorgio's appointment: 'Giorgio Locatelli is a fabulous addition to our UK Celebrity MasterChef team. I'm a long-time admirer of his work and was a huge fan of Locanda Locatelli; for many years, it was one of my happy places to eat. 

'I couldn't be happier to combine our shared joy, passion, and expertise for food. I also love an opportunity to serve up a heavy dose of glamour in the MasterChef kitchen, and I have a feeling Giorgio is going to give me a real run for my money.'

Meanwhile, Giorgio opened up further about his new Celebrity MasterChef role during a chat on Jessie and Lennie Ware's Table Manners podcast, warning that he'll be 'strict' on the contestants. 

On what kind of judge he was, Giorgio, known for judging the Italian version of the cooking show, said: 'I think I was a bad cop. I’m strict. 

'Strict about cleanliness and organisation. Those little skills that you teach them slowly.

'We’re working with celebrities, which is different from working with people who wanted to be a chef, but still, you can really see them growing in what they do, and so this is the thing that interests me more on the whole experience.'

And while the celebrity line-up for the new series has yet to be revealed, Giorgio teased that there was one famous face who really stood out thanks to their culinary creations.

He said: 'There was somebody who really surprised me a few times in the positive. It was good fun to do, it was really good fun to be with them.

'Everyone has already proven something in their lives, and they have already achieved something. That’s why they’re there, because they are celebrities in different fields.

'The people who worked in entertainment found it so difficult to cook to the time. The sportspeople always hit the time. Their life is run by time. While the other people are all about creativity.'

No stranger to the MasterChef kitchen, Giorgio has appeared on MasterChef Italia since 2018, while he's also popped up as a guest on BBC2’s Big Family Cooking Showdown.

Giorgio brings with him a wealth of experience spanning across an incredible four-decade career, with the Italian having penned several best-selling cookery books, while he earned his first Michelin star in 1999. 

Giorgio will replace former host John, 60, who was sensationally axed in July after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word during a work night out.

In the same month, John's longtime co-host Gregg Wallace was also dismissed after allegations that Gregg had made 'sexual comments to 13 colleagues' came to light.

Gregg denied the claims and condemned the corporation in a social media post saying he had been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. 

In the same month  - but denied all wrongdoing.

He admitted that he was 'shocked' by the allegation which reportedly stated he used racial language in a social situation. 

The two were then let go from the show. 

Grace replaced Gregg on the celebrity series of MasterChef last year, and shortly after, John was removed from the series. 

In September the Beeb announced Grace and Anna Haugh, 45, as judges for the latest series of MasterChef.