Matt Tebbutt to judge MasterChef: The Professionals

He takes over from Gregg Wallace, who has judged since series one.

Following much speculation, BBC One has today announced that Matt Tebbutt will take over from Gregg Wallace to judge the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti who both return.

Best known as host of Saturday Kitchen on BBC One Matt has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry as well as in TV and authoring cookbooks and regularly contributing to food and travel magazines.

The three judges will also be joined by a variety of exciting guest judges in the first stage of the competition. With their own experience and food backgrounds helping to oversee the Skills Tests, the guest judge in each Heat will add another element of surprise for the professional chefs walking through the MasterChef kitchen doors for the very first time.

As Matt looks ahead to the upcoming 18th series of MasterChef: The Professionals with Marcus and Monica, he said "It’s an absolute honour to be working alongside these two titans of the food world. 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!"

To which Marcus Wareing added "I’m really looking forward to working with Matt and his experience, both on screen and in the industry, speaks for itself. This show is all about showcasing and celebrating the best up and coming talent emerging from our country’s professional kitchens and Matt, Monica and I will be expecting the highest standards from our chefs this year. I can’t wait for what will be a fantastic next series."

And Monica Galetti said "To have Matt join us is really exciting. Seeing what skills our contestants showcase and tasting their culinary creations is always a delight - Marcus and I look forward to welcoming Matt to the MasterChef studios and discovering our next champion."

On welcoming Matt to MasterChef, the show's Executive Editor, David Ambler, said "It’s a great pleasure to welcome Matt on board for the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals. His career as a chef, restaurateur and food broadcaster makes him an ideal choice to join this year’s judging line-up and we can’t wait to discover the crop of exciting new talent."

To which Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC added "With a natural warmth that viewers already love from Saturday Kitchen, coupled with a sharp eye for talent, Matt will be bringing a wealth of culinary expertise to the MasterChef kitchen and will be a fantastic addition to the line-up alongside Monica and Marcus."

MasterChef: The Professionals will return to BBC One