Grace Dent is seen for the first time since announcement she is replacing Gregg Wallace as MasterChef judge amid his sexual misconduct storm

Grace Dent made her first appearance on Thursday after it was announced that she will replace Gregg Wallace as a MasterChef judge.

The food critic, 51, will next co-host the show with John Torode, 59 Gregg, 60, stepped away from the BBC display while an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior takes place.

Wearing her headphones, Grace cut a demure figure as she headed to London in all black with a striped wool scarf around her neck.

The presenter, who said becoming a judge is a “dream role”, didn’t let the excitement of being Gregg’s replacement show on her face and only smiled briefly.

Gregg stepped back after facing a series of complaints about his alleged behavior, including claims he made inappropriate sexual jokes, shared intimate details of his sex life and even walked around naked except for a sock on his penis.

He also reportedly took off his clothes in front of women on set, flirted with staff members and has been accused of groping two crew members.

Grace Dent was seen for the first time on Thursday after it was announced she will replace Gregg Wallace as MasterChef judge amid his storm of sexual misconduct

With her headphones on, Grace cut a demure figure as she headed to London, wearing all black with a striped woolen scarf around her neck.

With her headphones on, Grace cut a demure figure as she headed to London, wearing all black with a striped woolen scarf around her neck.

Gregg, 60, left the BBC show while an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior takes place. Gregg's lawyers have previously denied all allegations

Gregg, 60, left the BBC show while an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior takes place. Gregg’s lawyers have previously denied all allegations

At least thirteen women have made formal complaints about the presenter on five shows over a seventeen-year period. Since the scandal broke, more women have described inappropriate experiences on social media.

Gregg’s lawyers have previously denied allegations that he engaged in conduct amounting to sexual harassment.

The BBC previously canceled two planned MasterChef Christmas specials due to the publicity storm surrounding the presenter, as the show’s producers, Banijay, began their investigation.

Grace, who has been a regular on MasterChef and took part in last year’s MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics, was tipped for takeover before it was announced this week.

Speaking about the new role, the author and podcaster said: ‘I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting on the sofa with my dad. My whole family watches it. It’s all about discovering and championing talent – ​​and ending up in this position is more than a dream for me.

“I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is seriously damaging for a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky to be filling in for the next Celebrity MasterChef.

“I can’t wait to meet the new celebrity faces for 2025.”

John, who has presented MasterChef since 2005, added: “I have enjoyed working with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She was an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also presented some incredible challenges.

‘Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our amazing production team and to us as judges.

John Torode and Grace will present and judge the next series of Celebrity MasterChef. The author has described it as her 'dream role'

John Torode and Grace will present and judge the next series of Celebrity MasterChef. The author has described it as her ‘dream role’

Grace, who has been a regular guest on MasterChef, and took part in last year's MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics, was tipped for takeover before it was announced

Grace, who has been a regular guest on MasterChef, and took part in last year’s MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics, was tipped for takeover before it was announced

The presenter, who said that becoming a judge is a 'dream role'

She didn't let the excitement of being Gregg's replacement cross her face and just smiled briefly

The presenter, who said becoming a judge is a “dream role”, didn’t show the excitement of being Gregg’s replacement on her face and only smiled briefly

At least thirteen people have filed formal complaints against Gregg, while other celebrities and former contestants have also spoken out about his alleged inappropriate behavior.

At least thirteen people have filed formal complaints against Gregg, while other celebrities and former contestants have also spoken out about his alleged inappropriate behavior.

‘The love of food, the love of MasterChef and that undeniable expertise make Grace the perfect person to appear alongside me as a judge for the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.’

Her takeover of Gregg was first reported last week, with a source telling The Sun that the former I’m A Celebrity star is seen as ‘the perfect choice’ for the show.

They added: ‘She is very knowledgeable about food and opinionated, and it’s great to have a woman as a judge on the show. It will shake things up and give the series the boost it needs after such an unsettling and uncertain time.

‘She is already a fan favorite and has won a lot of respect in the foodie world thanks to her no-nonsense style and sense of humour.

“Bosses already love her, know she is a safe pair of hands and trust she will help steer the ship with John into more stable waters.”

Grace was born and raised by her parents in Carlisle and went on to study at Stirling University, where she obtained a degree in English Literature.

While in college, Dent began her journalism career writing feature films for Cosmopolitan, according to The Sun.

After leaving full-time education, she worked as an editorial assistant for Vogue and then as a freelance journalist for various magazines such as Marie Claire, Glamor and more.

She also wrote about all things TV for 12 years, from 2000 to 2012, before moving to The Independent and specializing in food.

As well as appearing as a judge on all three UK MasterChef franchises, Grace was also a judge on Great British Menu.

Grace was a restaurant critic for The Guardian and wrote a restaurant column for the Evening Standard from 2011 to 2017

Grace was a restaurant critic for The Guardian and wrote a restaurant column for the Evening Standard from 2011 to 2017

She has appeared regularly on MasterChef as a guest judge and critic on multiple series

She has appeared regularly on MasterChef as a guest judge and critic on multiple series

The food critic also appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2023, but left the camp after seven days due to medical problems

The food critic also appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2023, but left the camp after seven days due to medical problems

Fans were concerned for Grace after she started looking 'frighteningly ill' during her time in the jungle

Fans were concerned for Grace after she started looking ‘frighteningly ill’ during her time in the jungle

For many, Grace Dent is most recognizable for her stint in the I’m A Celeb jungle in 2023, before leaving due to health concerns.

After completing several Bushtucker trials, fans had become concerned for her after she started looking ‘scarily unwell’ during her time in the jungle.

Viewers noticed that she looked thin, tired and low on energy, and often looked on the verge of tears.

Sources said her ordeal in the makeshift jungle camp was “a mental battle rather than a physical one.”

She decided to leave after ‘losing all her energy’ in camp and reaching breaking point when faced with the prospect of doing another Bushtucker Trial, leaving a heartfelt farewell note for her fellow campmates.

Within three hours of the announcement, Grace was spotted at Brisbane Airport as she returned to Britain.

It was recently revealed that Wallace admitted ‘defeat’ and accepted his career was over, following an investigation by a production company into his alleged sexual harassment and groping.

After allegations were first made against him, Gregg took to Instagram and blamed a handful of “middle-aged” women for the complaints – before backtracking and apologizing for any “offense caused” after the video sparked national outrage had caused.

A source has now told MailOnline that Gregg has told friends he ‘accepts his TV career is effectively over’.

Among those who have spoken out about his behavior are former Newsnight presenter Kirsty Walk, Penny Lancaster and TV chef Gizzi Erskine.