MasterChef UK Returns in 2026 with New Judges
Fans of the popular BBC cooking show, MasterChef, have a reason to celebrate as the highly anticipated 22nd series has been confirmed for a return in 2026. The much-loved programme will make its comeback on BBC One on Tuesday, 21 April at 9:00pm. Episode one will air on this date, followed by episode two on Wednesday, 22 April, and episode three on Thursday, 23 April.
The official synopsis from the Beeb reads: “Into the kitchen and under the spotlight. Amateur cooks duel it out for the right to be called the MasterChef UK Champion.” This season promises to bring fresh energy and excitement to the competition, with new faces taking over the judging panel.
Grace Dent, 52, and Anna Haugh, 45, will be making their debut as the new judges on the show. They have taken over from former judges Gregg Wallace, 61, and John Torode, 60, who were both dismissed in July 2025. Gregg faced misconduct allegations during his time on the show, while John was let go after two decades due to allegations involving the use of the N-word. The pair had been part of the show since 2005, and their departure marks a significant change for the series.
This season will also see a slight reduction in the number of episodes, with 21 episodes instead of the usual 22. MasterChef has been a staple on British television since 1990, with its first run ending in 2001 before being revived in 2005.
Back in September, it was announced that Grace and Anna would be joining the show as judges. Grace previously co-hosted Celebrity MasterChef alongside John, who was later axed from the programme. The duo beat out Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing for the coveted judging roles.
A TV source shared with the publication: “It’s really exciting that two women are judging the show, especially as, historically, it’s been dominated by men, but coming to the decision hasn’t been easy. Grace and Anna have brilliant chemistry. They know it’s a big responsibility and can’t wait to deliver for the fans.”
The BBC, Grace, and Anna have not yet commented on the changes.
A Shift in Viewership
The announcement comes after the previous series faced a significant drop in viewership. The controversial 21st series, which aired in August 2025, saw nearly one million fewer viewers than expected. The new series was initially scheduled to air on BBC iPlayer earlier in the day, leading to a last-minute scramble to re-edit the episodes and limit the appearances of its stars, Gregg and John.
Both presenters had already been removed from hosting future iterations of the long-running cookery contest in recent weeks. The first episode of the 21st series only attracted 1.96 million viewers, a drop from 2.73 million for the previous year’s launch show.
Viewers were critical of the BBC’s decision to proceed with the latest series after firing both hosts. Many expressed confusion over why the show was even aired following the controversy. A body language expert also noted that the presenters lacked ‘on-screen chemistry’ during the broadcasts.
As the new season approaches, fans are eager to see how the changes will affect the show and whether the new judges will bring a fresh perspective to the competition. With the return of MasterChef in 2026, the culinary world is set for another exciting season of talent, drama, and delicious dishes.
