MasterChef faces 'absolute nightmare' as replacement judge 'pulls out' days before filming

BBC's MasterChef has been dealt another huge blow after replacement host, chef Tom Kerridge, has reportedly 'pulled out' before filming had even begun.

Gregg Wallaceand John Torode's 20-year run as the stars of MasterChef came to an end last month, when it was revealed they had both been axed from the BBC programme.

Gregg, 60, 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.

Torode was sacked later dismissed after law firm Lewis Silkin upheld a complaint that he used racist language. John denied the allegation and said he had "no recollection" of the incident happening, the BBC said that it takes the finding "extremely seriously".

READ MORE: ITV boss explains why John Torode show is still on air despite BBC MasterChef axe

READ MORE: BBC boss addresses Gregg Wallace's complaints 'I may have acted differently'

Food critic Grace Dent replaced Gregg for the Celebrity version of the show filmed earlier this year, and it has now been reported that Grace had been called back for the next series, alongside chef Tom Kerridge - however, things have been thrown into chaos.

“Tom and Grace are seen as a really safe pair of hands and the BBC thought they were the perfect fit for MasterChef," a source told The Sun.

“Internally it’s been known for a long time that they’ll be presenting it together. People at the BBC and staff on MasterChef have all been talking about it."

The source continued to say that the proposed deal was a one-year term for the pair, although there had reportedly been a dispute in the last couple of weeks regarding Tom's contract and pay.

“His team wants him to get more money and have put the brakes on," the source said, claiming it had been an 'absolute nightmare' for the BBC and MasterChef, with filming set to start very soon.

They then claimed that if Tom doesn't get the deal he wants - the show will be looking for a new replacement. The Mirror has contacted BBC for comment.

In December, it was announced that Grace Dent would be stepping in for the new series of Celebrity MasterChef after Gregg Wallace's departure from the show.

Speaking on the signing at the time, John said: “I have loved working with Grace on MasterChef over the years. She has been an excellent guest, an inspiring critic and also set some incredible challenges.

"Expertise is what MasterChef is all about, from the contestants to our wonderful production team, to us as judges. The love of food, the love of MasterChef, and that unquestionable expertise, makes Grace the perfect person to step in alongside me as judge for the forthcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.”

John and Gregg's final MasterChef series - which was filmed before the axing, is currently airing on BBC, with the grand final set to air in the coming weeks.

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