Giorgio Locatelli named new judge on Celebrity MasterChef for summer series

Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Giorgio Locatelli has been confirmed as the newest judge on Celebrity MasterChef, joining food critic and journalist Grace Dent on the BBC One and BBC iPlayer series, which is due to return this summer. The announcement was made by Locatelli himself during an appearance on Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, which was released this morning.

Produced by Shine TV, part of Banijay UK, the new series is filmed at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham. Locatelli replaces a key role on the long-running cookery competition, which sees celebrities tested on their culinary skills across a series of challenges in the MasterChef kitchen. The line-up of celebrity contestants has yet to be revealed.

Commenting on the appointment, Locatelli said: “Hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace is a real honour. I can’t wait for you to see what our celebrity contestants bring to the kitchen, as we are really putting their culinary skills to the test in this series.”

He has previous experience of the format, having served as a judge on MasterChef Italia since 2018. His career spans more than four decades, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent Italian chefs working internationally, winning his first Michelin star in 1999 and a second in 2003. In addition to running his London restaurant, Locanda Locatelli, he has authored several cookery books and presented television programmes including Italy Unpacked and Sicily Unpacked, both for BBC Two.

Leon Wilson, CEO of Shine TV and Zeppotron, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Giorgio onboard. He is a genuinely world-class superstar chef and it’s a huge coup to have signed him up. With his signature charm, generosity and energy Giorgio is perfect for Celebrity MasterChef and he’ll be a real treat for viewers.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, added: “Giorgio’s culinary expertise, Michelin-starred pedigree and serious passion for food, coupled with the dynamism that both he and Grace bring to the screen, putting the celebrities through their culinary paces, is not one to be missed. Viewers can expect a truly delicious series.”

Food Desk

The date for the opening episode of Celebrity MasterChef 2026 is yet to be announced. For further information and updates, visit here.

For further information about Giorgio Locatelli, visit the chef’s Instagram here.