EXCLUSIVE John Torode declares it's 'onwards and upwards' for MasterChef after Gregg Wallace's departure as he gushes about new co-host Grace Dent
The TV star, 59, told The Mail at the Fortnum & Masons Food and Drink Awards at the Royal Exchange: 'We've been filming MasterChef, which has been great and that's been brilliant.
'We've moved to Birmingham and me and Grace are having a wonderful time. She's doing a great job. So, it's onwards and upwards.'
The food critic, 51, was announced by the BBC as Gregg's replacement in December after he was axed due to a series of complaints about his alleged behaviour.
John said he's remained optimistic throughout the controversy that has besieged the show.
'The thing is that if you walk outside and the sun's shining, the sky is blue, and you can hear a bird,' he added. 'You're still alive, so that's a really good perspective to have.'
Meanwhile, John has also been cooking up new shows with his wife Lisa Faulkner, 53, and revealed: 'There's lots of stuff happening. Lisa and I are working really hard on a couple of things, which is great.
'We've had a really exciting meeting about something exciting going on.'
He added: 'We've now done 10 series, so we're doing all right. Listen, we get on really well, we do our own thing, we enjoy each other's company, we both like food, so, you know, what's not to like.'
The TV personality also admitted he still sizzles with passion for the food industry and said: 'Food's exciting. There's lots of great people out there, people are working hard, everyone's always got to eat.
'I mean, you know what? Put a smile on your face, it's going to be great. Listen, it's really hard. There's no two ways about it.
'But at the same time, we've all been through things and we're lucky if you love it, you'll continue to love it.'
The hit programme has moved to the former Banana Warehouse on Fazely Street in Birmingham after it was announced the show would be relocating from its London headquarters, where it had been produced for two decades.
John's gushing remarks come after he dealt Gregg a huge snub by inviting Grace to his home.
The former presenting duo famously never visited each other's houses, despite fronting the BBC series together for nearly 20 years, but John's new co-presenter has already headed to his house for tea within weeks of being confirmed as the show's latest host.
His wife revealed she and the Aussie chef entertained Grace at their North London home where the former Holby City actress tested out the pair's fledgling judging chemistry.
Lisa said: 'She came over for tea and I was really excited she has been in my house. I was like "I love you."
'We made Tea and scones, cheese scones, and sticky toffee madeleines.
'She's a joy and I think the two of them will work really well together, in fact I know they will work really well together because I let them do a bit of judging when they were together.'
Speaking at the Ideal Home Show, she added: 'I think she will be absolutely brilliant. I'm a massive fan of Grace for years.
'I used to get the Guardian when she did the restaurant reviews, this was years ago, and I've loved her writing, 'I've read her books, I think she's ace.'
John, who was Best Man at Gregg's wedding, has yet to speak in detail about his former co-host after he stepped away from MasterChef in November due to allegations over his misconduct.
He released a statement on Instagram in December saying he found the reports into Gregg's alleged behaviour 'truly upsetting' and the 'thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear'.
John added: 'I love my job, and I love MasterChef. I love being part of it and will continue to be part of it.'
Grace previously appeared as a regular guest on MasterChef for over a decade and even competed on last year's Battle of the Critics.
After being announced as the new co-judge for the new series, she said: 'I've 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 – and 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.'
John added: '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 challenge.'
He continued: '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.'
Gregg has faced a series of complaints about his alleged behaviour, including claims he made inappropriate sexual jokes, shared intimate details of his sex life and even walked around set naked except for a sock on his penis.
He also reportedly would take off his clothes in front of women on set, flirt with members of staff and has been accused of groping two crew members.
At least 13 women have made formal complaints about the TV personality across five shows over a 17-year period, with more describing inappropriate experiences on social media since the scandal broke.
His lawyers have previously denied any allegations that he has engaged in behaviour that amounts to sexual harassment.
The BBC cancelled two planned Christmas specials of MasterChef amid the publicity storm surrounding the presenter, as the show's producers Banijay began an investigation.
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