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New Celebrity MasterChef host Grace Dent took less than 60 seconds to sign up to the BBC show, we can reveal.
The restaurant critic, 51, was unveiled as ousted host Gregg Wallace's replacement on the hit show earlier this week.
A source said: "Grace got the call about MasterChef and mulled it over for about 30 seconds before saying yes. She couldn't believe her luck, it's her dream job and she is beyond excited.
"It's the quickest response the show has ever had."
Grace, 51, will judge the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode.
She said: "I have been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it.
"It's all about uncovering and championing talent.
"To have ended up in this position is more than a dream to me. I'm so excited that I can't eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef. I can't wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025."
The BBC last month said 60-year-old Wallace would step away from the iconic show, which began in 1990, amid an external review into historical allegations of misconduct.
Author and podcaster Grace has been a regular guest on MasterChef, and last year was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle of the Critics.
Torode, 59, who began presenting MasterChef with Wallace in 2005, 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."
MasterChef: The Professionals continued to be shown in recent weeks despite allegations against Wallace of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
But two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials - Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off and MasterChef Meets Strictly - were pulled from the BBC schedule.
Wallace's lawyers have said it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, BBC head of entertainment, said: "Grace Dent is the perfect choice to step in for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef. Grace is not only an energetic and well-established member of the MasterChef team, but is also a world renowned food critic.
"She will certainly keep the next batch of celebrities on their toes."
English (US) ·