When Is MasterChef Series 22 On TV?

After a tumultuous couple of years for MasterChef, the show is entering a new era with two female leads at the helm. Food critic Grace Dent and Irish chef Anna Haugh are stepping in to replace long-time judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode – who were both dismissed from the show in 2025 following allegations of misconduct. But what else can we expect from the upcoming series? And when will the show be back on our screens?

MasterChef Series 22: Everything We Know So Far

Who Are The Judges?

Dent, 52, is a restaurant critic, author and podcaster. She started her career in the world of journalism as an editorial assistant at Marie Claire, landing her first big break in 2017 when she was offered a food column at The Guardian. Since then she’s written a bestselling memoir, Hungry (2020) and launched a chart-topping podcast, Comfort Eating, as well as starring as a guest judge on MasterChef – making her the perfect fit for the new gig.

Her co-star Haugh has years of experience in the culinary industry, training at Dublin Food School before securing an apprenticeship at L’Ecrivain, the now-closed Michelin-starred French restaurant run by Derry and Sallyanne Clarke. She moved to London, joining the team at the esteemed Pied à Terre in Fitzrovia – but being the only woman, she described feeling like a ‘dancing monkey’. Haugh left after a couple of years, and after a few more stints in kitchens across London she joined catering company Rocket Foods. In 2019, she opened her own restaurant in Chelsea, Myrtle, which serves fare inspired by her Irish heritage. 

Like Dent, Haugh has appeared on MasterChef before: in 2025 she replaced Wallace in the final episodes of series 21. ‘I’m delighted to be back on MasterChef and judging alongside the wonderful Grace Dent, whose writing and wit I’ve admired for years,’ she said about her new role. ‘MasterChef has long inspired and resonated with cooks in home kitchens and of course in my industry. I can’t wait to get into the studio for what will be a great competition.’

BBC/Shine TV

But how did the pair feel about picking up after Wallace and Torode? ‘I don’t feel I am “picking up” after anybody,’ Dent said in an interview with Radio Times. ‘I’ve been going to work every day at the helm of the most important food show, probably in British television history. I think I’m doing well.’ Haugh added that the pair ‘take care of each other’ on the show. ‘So, if there’s a hair out of place, or lipstick needs topping up, we’ll point it out. We want each other to be lifted up.’

As usual there will be cameos from guest judges, with a first look at the series showing Dent and Haugh will be joined by restaurant critic Jay Rayner.

What Happens On MasterChef?

MasterChef is one of the UK’s most prestigious and long-running cooking competitions, beginning in July 1990. Although the format has changed over the years, the general focus of the show has remained the same: a line-up of amateur chefs must impress the judges with their cooking skills in the hopes of being crowned champion.

Each series, 32 contestants battle it out over a series of challenges, from creating dishes from scratch using ingredients gathered at the market to cooking under time constraints to working in groups to run busy restaurants or manage food trucks. The top three make it to finals week, which involves a culinary trip to a renowned restaurant or location, a chef’s table experience where they must cook a meal for top chefs, and the final cook-off where they must deliver the best three-course meal of their lives.

Contestants from series 22 (c) BBC/Shine TV

Who Has Won MasterChef?

Edinburgh-born fishmonger Harry Maguire took home the crown in series 21 after impressing the judges with his fish-focused final meal. First up was a twist on the prawn cocktail followed by a poached brill main served with a potato croissant, with a spiced apple dessert. Since winning the show, he has focused on running supper clubs and pirate dining events.

Other recent winners include:

• Brin Pirathapan (2024)
• Chariya Khattiyot (2023)
• Eddie Scott (2022)
• Tom Rhodes (2021)
• Thomas Frake (2020)

Release Date

The 2026 series will kick off on 21 April at 9pm on BBC One, and it will be a slightly shorter run than usual: 21 episodes rather than 22.