Giorgio Locatelli has been announced as the new judge on Celebrity MasterChef after John Torode was sacked by the BBC last year.
Locatelli, a chef and restaurateur who currently competes on the Italian version of the amateur cooking show, will appear alongside Grace Dent in the next season of the British celebrity show, which has now completed filming.
Locatelli said it was a "true honor" to be on the show, adding: "I can't wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we'll really put their culinary skills to the test this season.".
Dent said she had long admired Locatelli's work and called him "a wonderful addition to our Celebrity MasterChef UK team.".
«"I'm also really excited about the opportunity to add a bit of glamour to the MasterChef kitchen, and I have a feeling Giorgio will give me some serious competition," she joked.
Locatelli joins the show after Torode was fired over an accusation of using a racist term he says he "doesn't remember.".
Judge convicting "bad cop".
Reflecting on the series' production, Locatelli told the Table Manners podcast: "I think I was the bad cop. I'm strict. Strict about cleanliness and order. These are the little skills they learn little by little.".
The names of the new season's contestants have not yet been revealed, but Locatelli noted that one star in particular caught his attention due to the quality of some of her dishes.
He told podcast hosts Jesse and Lenny Ware: "There was one person who really surprised me a few times. It was a lot of fun to be a part of that, it was a lot of fun to be around them.".
«"People working in the entertainment industry had a really hard time keeping up with meal prep," he reflected. "Athletes are always on deadline. Their lives are driven by time, while others are completely focused on creativity.".
In this spin-off series, a number of celebrities face culinary challenges, with judges judging their cooking skills until one star makes it to the final and wins the Celebrity MasterChef trophy.
Locatelli is a Michelin-starred chef who began his career at the Savoy Hotel and went on to open restaurants such as Olivo, Zafferano, Locanda Locatelli and Locatelli at the National Gallery.
John Torode has been a part of MasterChef for two decades [BBC/Shine TV]
Torode was sacked by the BBC after being accused of using a "highly offensive racist term", which was confirmed in an independent report by law firm Lewis Silkin.
His departure follows that of co-host Gregg Wallace, who was fired after 45 allegations of misconduct were substantiated.
At the time, Wallace said he "deeply regretted any distress caused" and that it was "never my intention to harm or humiliate.".
Wallace was replaced by Dent, who competed alongside Torode on the final season of Celebrity MasterChef.
Torode stated: "I repeat, I don't remember what I'm accused of. The investigation couldn't even name the date or year when I allegedly said something wrong.".
Anna Haug has replaced the host of the main amateur season of MasterChef.
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New MasterChef presenters announced following Wallace and Torode's sackings.
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Celebrity MasterChef will continue to air with sacked host John Torode.
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John Torode has been fired as host of MasterChef.