Gregg Wallace and John Torode's MasterChef replacement favourites revealed

Gregg Wallaceand John Torode's 20-year run as the stars of MasterChef came to an end this month when it was revealed they were both axed from the BBC programme. Gregg, 60, initially stepped back from filming in November but has since been sacked from the show after an investigation upheld 45 out of 83 complaints against him.

Not long after, co-star Torode was also sacked from MasterChef after law firm Lewis Silkin upheld a complaint that he used racist language eight years ago. While John denied the allegation and said he had "no recollection" of the incident happening, the BBC said that it takes the finding "extremely seriously".

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Following both stars' axes, there has been speculation on who could replace them for the future series of MasterChef. Food critic Grace Dent replaced Gregg for the Celebrity version of the show earlier this year.

It is not yet known who will take on the role. According to the odds, Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt is the new 10/11 favourite to present the show.

Andi Oliver is also a favourite to join the series. MasterChef could soon be serving up a "dream line-up" of presenters. Food critic Grace, Tom Kerridge and Chris Stark are also favourites to be on the show.

Other names include Big Zuu, James Martin, Mel Giedroyc and Nigella Lawson. After the results of the investigation was released, John denied the allegations in a statement.

He said: "Following publication of the Executive Summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld.

"For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.

"I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.

"I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence."

As previously reported, production company Banijay said: "The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018.

"This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef."

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