Top TV chef Giorgio Locatelli is reportedly set to join MasterChef as the newest host to replace John Torode who was axed from the scandal-hit show.
The Michelin-starred chef, 62, previously appeared as a guest, and a judge on BBC2’s Big Family Cooking Showdown and was the star of Channel 4 show Celeb Cooking School.
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s time for a new era for and bosses think Giorgio is the perfect fit.
‘He has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry and has plenty of personality.’
His Italian restaurant in London’s Marylebone Locanda Locatelli attracted A-Listers including Madonna before it closed in January after 22 years.
Top TV chef Giorgio Locatelli is reportedly set to join MasterChef as the newest host to replace John Torode who was axed from the scandal-hit show
The chef will join host and food critic Grace Dent, 52, who will also host the non-celebrity version of the show
Girogio opened the establishment, Located within the Hyatt Regency – the Churchill on Seymour Street, with his wife Plaxy in 2002 and received a Michelin star one year later.
It was regarded as one of London’s best Italian restaurants and also one of its priciest, with mains usually priced in the £30-£50 range.
Over the years, celebrities such as Kate Winslet, Brad Pitt and Bill Clinton were drawn to the venue’s chic dining room, designed by David Collins.
The chef is reportedly set to jjoin host and food critic Grace Dent, 52, who will also host the non-celebrity version of the show with Irish chef Anna Haugh, 45.
He will replace John Torode who was axed from the BBC show with co-host Gregg Wallace.
John was sacked from MasterChef after a report into his co-host Gregg Wallace found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’.
The MasterChef star announced the finding in a social media post, but insisted he had ‘no recollection’ of the incident and did not believe it had happened.
However, Banijay UK – the production company that makes the show – said it has decided not to renew his contract.
Giorgio will replace John Torode (left) who was axed from the BBC show with co-host Gregg Wallace
John was sacked from MasterChef after a report into his co-host Gregg (right) found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’
It has been alleged by a source close to John that he used the inappropriate racial term during drinks after filming.
The witness claimed John apologised instantly and ‘was mortified’ and he ‘didn’t use the term as a slur’.
No one complained at the time, but the incident was brought up during Wallace’s inquiry, the source said.
He denies sexual harassment claims but admits using inappropriate language.
A representative for Giorgio Locatelli and the BBC have been contacted by Daily Mail for comment.
Source: Daily Mail