Celebrity MasterChef returned on Tuesday night as new host Giorgio Locatelli made his debut after replacing axed John Torode.
The Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, 63, joins Grace Dent on the BBC show after John was sacked by the broadcaster last year after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word during a work night out.
And as the new series kicked off it was comedian Joe Pasquale, Love Island star Shakira Khan, Olympian Emily Campbell, singer Jay McGuinness and TV and radio presenter Jason Mohammad who took to the kitchen for round one.
'Let me introduce one of my favourite chefs from Italy and our new MasterChef judge Giorgio Locatelli,' exclaimed host Grace as the show kicked off.
And Giorgio had a starring role in the first episode as he led the celebrity contestants in a cookalong as he taught them how to make gnocchi.
But some fans were still missing the show's old judging line up of John and Gregg Wallace, who was also axed from the show a year prior. One viewer even joked of Giorgio: 'Is that just John torode talking with an Italian accent!?'
Celebrity MasterChef returned on Tuesday night as new host Giorgio Locatelli made his debut after replacing axed John Torode
The Italian chef had a starring role in the first episode as he led the celebrity contestants in a cookalong as he taught them how to make gnocchi
Another wrote: 'I still miss John and unfortunately Gregg but still love Grace'; 'Am sorry but this show is nothing without these two..'; 'Miss the guys but love Grace'.
Another accused him of expecting too much from the celebrities as they added: 'Has anyone told Giorgio he’s on #CelebrityMasterChef and not the normal Masterchef professional show?'
However some viewers enjoyed the new addition as they wrote: 'Well I have to say I’m liking Giorgio!'; 'I like this new Master Chef judge';
'Loving the duo of Grace and Giorgio on #CelebrityMasterchef such a refreshing presentation these days, will start watching again';
'Grace and Gioiorgioio are more fun than John and Greg. Should be a fun series.'
As well as the addition of Giorgio, the new series has also switched up the format.
As part of the competition, the celebs first had to cook a personal dish, before taking part in a tasting game. Finally, they had to recreate one of the new judge's gnocchi dishes in a cook-along challenge.
These twists to the format, which mirror the popular Australian version of the show, were praised by viewers, with one writing: 'It's good that the show has changed the format and is more like masterchef Australia.'
But fans weren't all convinced as they took to Twitter to share how they 'still missed' John and his former co-host Gregg Wallace , who was also axed from the show a year prior
However some viewers enjoyed the new addition as they wrote: 'Well I have to say I’m liking Giorgio!'; 'I like this new Master Chef judge'
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Giorgio has replaced former host John, 60, who was sensationally axed in July 2025 after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word during a work night out.
In the same month, John's longtime co-host Gregg Wallace was also dismissed after allegations that Gregg had made 'sexual comments to 13 colleagues' came to light.
Gregg denied the claims and condemned the corporation in a social media post saying he had been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'.
In the same month John admitted to being accused of misconduct – but denied all wrongdoing.
He admitted that he was 'shocked' by the allegation which reportedly stated he used racial language in a social situation.
The two were then let go from the show.
Grace replaced Gregg on the celebrity series of MasterChef last year, and shortly after, John was removed from the series.