We're counting down the days until MasterChef: The Professionals is back on our screens this Autumn - and now, Gregg Wallace's replacement has been announced.
The BBC has confirmed that chef and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt will join MasterChef: The Professionals as a judge, alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. Tebbutt is replacing Gregg Wallace, who stepped down in 2024 after accusations of sexual harassment. An independent report upheld 45 of 83 total complaints against Wallace – mostly involving inappropriate sexual language and humour.
Speaking about his appointment, Tebbutt said it was 'an absolute honour' to be working alongside Wareing and Galetti, describing his fellow judges as 'titans of the food world.' He continued: 'Their knowledge and uncompromising attitude is now the stuff of legend and I look forward to them taking me under their wing, and seeing the chefs get off to a flying start in the competition.'
Who is Matt Tebutt?
Matt Tebutt is a British chef and TV presenter who has made a name for himself in the food scene. Matt grew up in South Wales, but he was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. He went to Rougemont School in Newport before going on to do a degree in Geography and Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University. He considered a career in the RAF, before pivoting to be a chef, and undertook a course at the prestigious Leiths School of Food & Wine in London.
Speaking about his upbringing in an interview with The Sun, Tebutt said: 'I remember eating fish soup, frogs’ legs and snails – stuff you’d never see where I grew up in Cwmbran, Wales. My parents were always of the opinion: “Well, we’re eating it, so can you.” It was the best thing they did, really.'
His early career saw him rub shoulders with esteemed chefs, such as Marco Pierre White Bruce Poole, Sally Clarke, and Alastair Little. In 2001, he opened his own joint, The Foxhunter, in Monmouthshire, Wales. In fact, Tebbutt has a particular soft spot for pubs. In an interview with The Independent last year, he said: 'I will disappear on a Friday and go and do Saturday Kitchen. And then I’ll meet some quite famous faces sometimes, get back to the pub [near his home in Monmouthshire], and nobody gives a monkey’s! They really don’t care, and it’s great.'
How old is Matt Tebutt?
Matt was born on 24 December 1973, making him 51 years old.
Has Matt Tebbutt been on TV before?
Yes! Tebbutt has a number of TV stints under his belt. He guest presented Saturday Kitchen in 2009, before officially taking over in 2016. He also co-presents Food Unwrapped on Channel 4 and has appeared on Market Kitchen, Drop Down Menu, Great British Menu and Save Money: Good Food. He also hosted Daily Kitchen Live alongside Jack Monroe in lockdown.
He told The Independent that one of the biggest challenges of live TV is not swearing because 'you forget you’re on TV.' He said: 'You have to remember you’re on telly, and you can get very comfortable and act and say things you would in your own kitchen with your friends – you could easily swear, because I’m quite sweary.'
Is Matt Tebbutt married?
Matt has been married to his wife Lisa for over 25 years, as they tied the knot in 1999. They live in Monmouthshire, and have two grown up children, Jessie, 22, and Henry, 20. Matt tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight, but over the years he has shared a small glimpse into his family life on Instagram.
In 2022, Matt shared a photo of him and Henry at St. Andrews University. He captioned the sweet picture: 'Turns out the Boy’s gone to Hogwarts .. otherwise known as @uniofstandrews.' He also previously shared a picture of him and Jessie at her graduation.
He's also previously shared his daughter's love of cooking. In 2023, he told The Independent 'My daughter is 21 and she loves cooking,' continuing 'She’s like me – she’ll wake up in the morning thinking: ‘What am I going to have for lunch?’ and then she’ll think: ‘Where am I going to go for dinner?’ She loves food, she loves cooking.'
Does Matt Tebbutt have Instagram?
Yes! You can keep up to date with Matt's amazing cooking at his handle @matt.tebbutt.
Alice Hall is the Staff Writer at Grazia UK. She was previously a Junior Features Writer for The Daily Telegraph. At Grazia, she writes news and features about pop culture, dating, health, politics and interiors.