Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt has emerged as the new frontrunner to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef.

Wallace stepped down from the programme last November after multiple women came forward to allege that he had used inappropriate language towards them on set - all of which he has vehemently denied.

An external investigation to the matter is ongoing, but the BBC are hunting for a new partner for John Torode and now The Sun says that 51-year-old Tebbutt - permanent host of Saturday Kitchen since 2016 - is in talks about the role.

"Matt rose to the challenge of coming into Saturday Kitchen after it was previously hosted by another big name in the world of food, James Martin," said a source.

"He managed the feat of making it his own and almost making viewers forget who his predecessor was - now Beeb bosses, and the show producers Banijay, will be hoping he can work the same magic on MasterChef.

"Nothing is set in stone, of course, and the result of investigations into Gregg's behaviour have yet to fully conclude.

"But since MasterChef is such a huge show with a massive following, the Beeb are keen to have everything lined up ready."

Grace Dent has replaced Wallace for this year's edition of Celebrity MasterChef, which has just been filmed, although it has yet to be confirmed whether her role will become permanent.

The 2025 series of MasterChef was filmed at the end of last year with both Wallace and Torode but remains in limbo while the BBC's investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Tebbutt is also thought to be in the frame to join MasterChef: The Professionals, which Wallace hosted alongside Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing.