Celebrity MasterChef confirms sacked Johh Torode's episodes WILL air

The BBC has confirmed that sacked MasterChef judge John Tordoe WILL feature in the upcoming series of Celebrity MasterChef. 

The celebrity version of the much-loved cooking show is set to return to BBC1 after filming for its 20th series earlier this year. 

New judge Grace Dent, 52, and John Torode, 60, will appear on our screens alongside a selection of very famous faces.

Torode was sacked in the summer in the wake of an allegation against him using 'an extremely offensive racist term' was upheld.

John said he has 'no recollection' of the incident.

The BBC revealed that while it had not been a 'straightforward decision,' every celebrity contestant and guest featured in the upcoming series involved had given their blessing for the series to air.

'Banijay UK has consulted the celebrities, contestants and guests featured and all have confirmed that they are happy for the shows to be aired,' a BBC spokesperson said.

'As we have said previously, these are not straightforward decisions. We have approached this with care and consideration for all involved and we appreciate not everyone will agree with us.

'Five weeks of extraordinary challenges await, where the judges will oversee this culinary competition that will push the 15 celebrities beyond the comfort of their showbiz jobs. 

'Acting the part won’t cut the mustard and singing for your supper will not equal success. 

'The only thing guaranteed is that just one of them will be left standing at the end, where their sparkling career will lead them to the shiny prize - the iconic Celebrity MasterChef trophy.'

Alfie Boe OBE

Actor and singer Alfie, 52, has been on the scene since the late 90s.

He's appeared in various shows, but is known for being Jean Valijean in Les Miserables. 

Alfie has been in the likes of Don Pasuale, Kismet and The Mikado.  

Alun Wyn Jones OBE

Former rugby union icon Alun, 40,  is best known for being part of the Ospreys and Wales national team. 

Will he be able to handle the heat in the kitchen like he does on the pitch?  

Antony Costa

Singer Antony, 44, is best known for being part of boyband Blue alongside Simon Webbe, 44, Duncan James, 47 and Lee Ryan, 42.

No doubt he's hoping his cooking skills will be as good as his singing. 

Ashley Cain

Footballer and TV star Ashley, 35, has played for a number of clubs including Coventry City. 

This isn't the star's first stint on our screens as he's also starred in MTV's Ex on the Beach and The Challenge. 

He's also founder of The Azaylia Foundation after losing his daughter Azaylia Diamond to acute myeloid leukaemia in April 2021.

Chris Hughes

TV personality Chris, 32, shot to fame on the third series of ITV2 dating show Love Island. 

He placed third alongside his ex girlfriend Olivia Attwood. 

Chris has been on our screens since 2017, starring in various shows such as Celebrity Hunted, Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, Me, My Brother and Our Balls and Celebrity Big Brother. 

The star also presents horse racing for Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival.

Dawn O’Porter

TV presenter Dawn, 46, has hosted a number of documentaries including My Breasts Could Kill Me, Super Slim Me, and Dawn...

As well as that, she's published her own books including So Lucky, Cat Lady and HoneyBee.  

Gaz Choudhry MBE

Former wheelchair basketball player Gaz, 40, played basketball for the Paralympics GV team in 2012. 

He won bronze in the 2016 Rio Games, as well as the 2020 Tokyo games.  

Ginger Johnson

RuPaul Drag Queen star Ginger, 36 - real name Donald Marshall - won the fifth series of the show in 2023. 

Over the years Ginger has appeared in a number of shows including Some Mothers, Little Jimmy Johnson, Good Clean Fun, Ginger All The Way and Angels of the North.  

Jaki Graham

The singer, 56, shot to fame in the 70s and has released various popular songs.

Some include Could It Be I'm Falling in Love, Ain't Nobody and Round and Around. 

Jamie Lomas

Actor Jamie, 50, is best known for starring in a number of UK soaps.

He's played Warren Fox in Hollyoaks and Jake Stone in EastEnders.  

Jodie Ounsley

Former rugby union player Jodie, 24, played for Loughborough Lightning, Sale Sharks Women and Exeter Cheifs Women.

Not only that, she appeared on BBC's Gladiators as Fury.  

Katie McGlynn

Former Corrie actress Katie, 32, appeared on the ITV show between 2013 and 2020. 

She's also taken on the role of Becky Quentin in Hollyoaks and also starred in the nineteenth series of BBC's Strictly.

Michelle Heaton

Singer Michelle, 46, shot to fame in the early 2000s as part of music group Liberty X. 

Although Michelle is known for her singing, she's appeared in a number of TV shows including Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.  

Noreen Khan

Radio presenter Noreen, 36, has hosted the likes of BBC2's Back in Time and The Fizzy Quiz Show. 

Not only that, she's also a certified yoga teacher. 

Uma Jammeh

Uma, 25, appeared in the eleventh series of Love Island and found love with her partner Wil Anderson.

The pair got engaged back in July. 

Former host Gregg Wallace, 60, was sacked after an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct, which upheld multiple accusations against him.

A review by law firm Lewis Silkin later upheld 45 of the 83 allegations against him, including one of 'unwelcome physical contact'.

The report found that the 'majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94%) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018', with only one allegation substantiated after that year.

It also concluded that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'.

Mr Wallace issued an apology saying he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate'.