Grace Dent may have departed from I’m A Celebrity… I Need to Get Out of Here! on medical concerns, but she won’t be absent from television screens for long.
Jamie Lynn Spears left the show a few days later for the same reason.
Grace, 50, and four other MasterChef culinary reviewers will compete in Battle of the reviewers 2023 for the first time.
The BBC series will also have William Sitwell, Jay Ratner, Leyla Kazmin, and Jim Famurewa on the firing line. Instead of sitting, or more particularly eating on the sidelines and criticising the competing chefs, they will be cooking themselves.
‘After 20 years of @MasterChefUK it’s finally happening…This Christmas the critics take to the stoves to battle it out. So that’s @jayrayner1 @gracedent @leylakazim @Jimfam Oh, and me,’ wrote William alongside a group shot.
The five critics were wearing the renowned white aprons and beaming to the camera; let’s see how long they can keep their smiles once the tables are turned on them.
Who will whip themselves to victory, and who will break under the weight of Gregg Wallace and John Torode’s pressure?
Returning champions Ping Coombes (MasterChef 2014), Kenny Tutt (MasterChef 2018), and Nikita Pathakji (MasterChef: The Professionals 2022) will also compete.
Only one critic may be named champion and take home the prized Golden Cutlery trophy.
After 20 years of @MasterChefUK it’s finally happening…This Christmas the critics take to the stoves to battle it out. So that’s @jayrayner1 @gracedent @leylakazim @Jimfam Oh, and me 😱🫣 pic.twitter.com/2nqQhvqd0o
— William Sitwell (@WilliamSitwell) November 28, 2023
Jay added: ‘Don’t know what you wanted for Christmas, but here’s what you’re gonna get: a @MasterChefUK special in which us critics cook off against each other, featuring @Jimfam @WilliamSitwell @leylakazim @gracedent and yours truly. I know. I know. it’s all your Christmas wishes come true.’
While an excited Jim said: ‘In the Christmas schedule. All very normal.’
‘It’s true, oh God… Happy holidays,’ joked Leyla.
This leaves just Grace to comment, who has remained silent on her social media since her departure from the jungle.
Don't know what you wanted for Christmas, but here's what you're gonna get: a @MasterChefUK special in which us critics cook off against each other, featuring @Jimfam @WilliamSitwell @leylakazim @gracedent and yours truly. I know. I know. it's all your Christmas wishes come true. pic.twitter.com/h09yD2JG2w
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) November 28, 2023
Her exit was announced on Monday with a short statement from an ITV spokesperson who said: ‘Unfortunately Grace Dent has left the show on medical grounds.
‘She has been a great campmate and will be missed by her fellow celebrities and viewers alike.’
A letter from Grace was read to the camp: ‘My dear campmates, I’m so sorry to let you down. I have left the camp for medical reasons,’ it began.
‘My heart is broken, I have loved and enjoyed getting to know you all. You’ve held me up and it’s been a pleasure being your friend through this experience.
‘Leaving you all at this stage will be one of the saddest things in my life. I love you all.’
‘Your friend, Miss Grace Dent,’ she signed off.
Before her early exit Grace admitted she was struggling in the jungle before facing the Touchdown of Terror trial, telling campmate Josie Gibson: ‘I’ve had enough. I’ve completely had enough. I just want to go home.’
I’m A Celebrity returns at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
