Overview
- Giorgio Locatelli, who was confirmed on Wednesday, June 3, will join restaurant critic Grace Dent as a judge on the 21st series of Celebrity MasterChef.
- Locatelli is a two‑time Michelin‑starred chef with four decades of experience and prior MasterChef judging experience in Italy.
- The chef told the Table Manners podcast that the celebrity series has already been filmed and said he judged strictly on cleanliness and organisation.
- His appointment follows the BBC decision not to renew John Torode’s contract after an independent Lewis Silkin finding and comes after Gregg Wallace’s earlier removal.
- The BBC plans to broadcast the celebrity edition this summer, the contestant line‑up has not yet been released, and the hire is positioned to restore credibility and continuity for the show.