Who is new Celebrity MasterChef judge Giorgio Locatelli?

CELEBRITY MasterChef is back with a new face behind the judging bench.

Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli joins Grace Dent for the 21st series, taking over from John Torode.

Who is Giorgio Locatelli?

Giorgio Locatelli, 63, is a famous Italian chef, with a career spanning more than four decades.

He grew up in Lombardy and moved to London in the 80s to work at the Savoy.

Giorgio won his first Michelin star at Zafferano in 1999, before opening Locanda Locatelli in Marylebone in 2002, which quickly became one of the capital’s hottest A-list haunts pop queen Madonna dined there.

That restaurant earned a star of its own in 2003, which it held for more than two decades.

more on Celebrity MasterChef

[newspress-collage-cj3d9b1p5-1785153768709.jpg]

HEATING UP

Love Islander & Olympian announced as week one Celebrity Masterchef contestants

[donna-preston-emily-steel-eric-1098071485.jpg]

YES CHEF

EastEnders legend, Gladiator and YouTuber announced for Celebrity MasterChef

In December 2024, Locanda Locatelli served its last customers before its doors permanently closed in January 2025.

In May 2025, he and his wife Plaxy opened Locatelli and Bar Giorgio in the refurbished Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery. The restaurant is now called Osteria Locatelli.

Giorgio has written several cookery books and is a familiar face on screen, having fronted Pure Italian, Tony and Giorgio, Italy Unpacked and Sicily Unpacked.

He also previously appeared as a guest and a judge on BBC Twos Big Family Cooking Showdown.

Most read in TV

[An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows The BBC logo on the facade of the BBC headquarters in London]

xmas gift

BBC comedy WILL return for Christmas special after being mysteriously axed

[An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A couple holding up ultrasound images, with a child in front of them, by the ocean]

GROWING FAMILY

Neighbours star reveals she's expecting second child with 'step-brother'

[An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows EastEnders logo on an aerial map of London]

duff duff exit

EastEnders star 'agrees to leave soap' after 13 years after meeting with BBC

[An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Coleen Nolan and Ryan Brockbank smiling at the camera]

COUGAR COLEEN

Coleen Nolan, 61, makes saucy confession as she opens up on toyboy lover, 41,

Giorgio already knows the format inside out, having been a regular judge on MasterChef Italia since 2018.

Giorgio said: “Hosting Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace is a real honour.

“I cant 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.

Grace added: Giorgio Locatelli is a fabulous addition to our UK Celebrity MasterChef team.

Im a long-time admirer of his work and was a huge fan of Locanda Locatelli for many years, it was one of my happy places to eat.

“I couldnt be happier to combine our shared joy, passion, and expertise for food.

I also love an opportunity to serve up a heavy dose of glamour in the MasterChef kitchen, and I have a feeling Giorgio is going to give me a real run for my money.

When is Celebrity MasterChef 2026 on TV?

Celebrity MasterChef starts tonight at 9pm on BBC One. The second episode airs at 9pm on Wednesday, with the third following at 8pm on Friday.

There are three episodes a week rather than a nightly run, and the days can shift the BBC has not yet confirmed the pattern for the rest of the series.

The first three episodes are already available on iPlayer.

Series 21 of Celebrity MasterChef lasts for five weeks, with three heat weeks each ending in a quarter-final, followed by semi-finals week and finals week.

Paddy McGuinness, Zoe Ball and influencer Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angry Ginge, appear as guest judges across the heats.

Joe Pasquale, Jason Mohammad, Emily Campbell, Shakira Khan and Jay McGuiness are the week one contestants, with Jay the third member of The Wanted to enter the kitchen after Tom Parker and Max George.