MasterChef star lands brand new series away from embattled cooking show alongside Strictly and X Factor stars
A MASTERCHEF star is fronting a brand new series away from the embattled cooking show – with Strictly and X Factor stars featured.
Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour sees the celebrity chef, 44, embark on a culinary journey across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Celebrity guests join Dublin-born Anna in each episode across the 15-part series, spanning Ballycastle in County Antrim, to Cork city.
The famous faces include X Factor winner and recent Strictly star Shayne Ward.
Also popping up are comedians Katherine Ryan and Ed Byrne, snooker legend Dennis Taylor and boxer Carl Frampton.
The likes of Angela Scanlon, Una Healy and Vanessa Feltz are also set to appear.
Anna and her guest meet people behind local produce while experiencing ingredients and flavours on offer in Ireland.
The full series will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer after episode one airs on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday, January 6.
In 2022, Anna joined Gregg Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals.
She replaced Monica Galetti in the role for one series only.
That same year, Anna also made a guest appearance on Celebrity MasterChef.
She set out dish challenges for contestants Ryan Thomas, Kitty Scott-Claus, Lisa Snowdon and Katya Jones.
Meanwhile, restaurant critic Grace Dent will be replacing Gregg Wallace on the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef series.
Longtime co-presenter Gregg, 60, was forced to step back amid allegations of misconduct.
Grace, a frequent guest on the BBC show, has addressed taking on a new role.
She said: “I’ve been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa.
“My whole family watches it.
Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief
GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation?
Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years.
Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark – accusations he denies.
The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated.
Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the “women of a certain age” who he claimed were behind the allegations.
The cooking show’s production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace’s alleged misconduct.
“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.”
Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour starts on Monday 6 January at 8pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland.