Grace Dent arrived back in the UK on Tuesday after quitting I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! due to medical reasons.
It has now been revealed that it won’t be long until the MasterChef star, 50, returns to the small screen once more.
Her co-star Jay Rayner took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to reveal that Grace will return to the show for a one off special in which the critics will be judged on their cooking skills.
He penned: ‘Don’t know what you wanted for Christmas, but here’s what you’re gonna get…
‘A @MasterChefUK special in which us critics cook off against each other, featuring @Jimfam @WilliamSitwell @leylakazim @gracedent and yours truly. I know. I know. it’s all your Christmas wishes come true.’
Grace Dent arrived back in the UK on Tuesday after quitting I’m A Celebrity …Get Me Out Of Here! due to medical reasons
It has now been revealed that it won’t be long until the MasterChef star, 50, returns to TV (pictured with John Torode and Gregg Wallace)
Jay went on to say that the ‘tables will be turned’ on five of the country’s top food critics in MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023.
Despite her early exit, ITV will still pay Grace her full fee, reported to be £100,000, as rules state a celebrity will be paid in full if they stay in camp for at least 72 hours.
During Monday’s episode of I’m A Celeb, Grace left her campmates in tears with a heartbreaking goodbye letter.
Fans had been left concerned for her after she had begun to look ‘scarily unwell’ during her time in the jungle – and it was announced she had quit the show for good earlier on Monday.
On Sunday evening Grace was nominated for latest trial Down The Tubes with This Morning host Josie Gibson, only to pull out on medical grounds.
She left a farewell message for her emotional campmates in the form of a laminated letter, which was read aloud by a teary Nick Pickard.
Grace admitted she believed she had ‘let down’ her campmates and said her heart was ‘broken’ following her exit as the campmates found out she had left the jungle for the first time.
The full statement read: ‘My Dear campmates, I’m so sorry to let you down. I have left the camp for medical reasons.
‘My heart is broken, I have loved and enjoyed getting to know you all. You’ve held me up and it’s been a pleasure being your friend through this experience.
Her co-star Jay Rayner took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to reveal that Grace will return to the show for a one off special in which the critics will be judged on their cooking skills
Jay (left) went on to say that the ‘tables will be turned’ on five of the country’s top food critics in MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023 (Pictured with Jimi Famurewa right in 2021)
Despite her early exit, ITV will still pay Grace her full fee , reported to be £100,000, as rules state a celebrity will be paid in full if they stay in camp for at least 72 hours
‘Leaving you all at this stage will be one of the saddest things in my life. I love you all. Your friend, Miss Grace Dent.’
The letter was met with an outpouring of emotion from her fellow campmates, who chorused: ‘We love you Grace!’ as EastEnders’ Danielle was also reduced to tears.
Marvin exclaimed: ‘She hasn’t let us down,’ while Nella Rose said: ‘She’s like my pillar of strength. My little fairy godmother. As long as she’s happy I’m happy.’
Later on the group made a thoughtful toast to Grace over dinner as they enjoyed the meal Josie and Danielle had won in the trial.
The food critic caught a flight back to the United Kingdom on Monday after seven days in camp, hours after pulling out of the show’s latest Bushtucker Trial.
Grace had sparked concern among ITV viewers, with many commenting on her gaunt appearance and pale, drawn complexion prior to her abrupt departure.
But sources claim her ordeal in the makeshift jungle camp ‘was a mental battle rather than physical and after a couple of days of rest and recovery she will be fine.’
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
FRANKIE DETTORI
Claim to fame: Champion Jockey
Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.
Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!
Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.
Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
TONY BELLEW
Claim to fame: Former champion boxer
Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.
Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.
