Tom Kerridge for Great British Menu 2025 / BBC
Tom Kerridge has reportedly “stalled” on a potential deal to take over as one of the hosts of MasterChef.
The BBC is currently in the process of finding two new presenters for its flagship cookery show after Gregg Wallace and John Torode were both let go for high-profile alleged misdemeanours.
Michelin-starred chef Kerridge, 52, was supposedly a frontrunner for the job alongside food critic Grace Dent but The Sun claims that his team has now suspended talks over the issue of pay.
“Tom and Grace are seen as a really safe pair of hands and the BBC thought they were the perfect fit for MasterChef,” a source said.
“Internally it’s been known for a long time that they’ll be presenting it together. People at the BBC and staff on MasterChef have all been talking about it.
“The proposed deal was a one-year term for both Tom and Grace. But in the last couple of weeks, there was a dispute over Tom’s contract and his pay. His team wants him to get more money and have put the brakes on.
“It’s a nightmare for MasterChef and the BBC because filming for the next series is due to start imminently.
“They need to get Tom locked down with Grace. But if he doesn’t get the deal he wants, they’ll be looking for a replacement.”
Other names linked with the roles include Great British Menu‘s Andi Oliver, Saturday Kitchen‘s Matt Tebbutt and hospitality expert Robert Walton.
