Matt Tebbutt admits 'don't want to ruffle any feathers' after MasterChef replacement

Matt Tebbutt has been announced as the TV chef replacing Gregg Wallace on MasterChef: The Professionals. Wallace was axed from the show this summer after a report into allegations of misconduct against him upheld 45 out of 83 complaints, including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress. The Saturday Kitchen presenter, 51, was announced as Wallace's replacement by the BBC last week, joining Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti on the show. The TV chef admitted he hoped his new appointment would "not ruffle any feathers" in a new interview.

The Saturday Kitchen presenter has stated the "difficult" situation he finds himself in. He told the Daily Express: "Stepping into someone's TV shoes is a difficult position to be in. But I did it before - under totally different circumstances, of course - when James Martin left Saturday Kitchen. I just try and make my own mark without making too many waves. I'll be as safe as houses on MasterChef: The Professionals!"

He continued: "It's fair to say the 'Good Cop' would apply here.

"My two grown-up kids, for instance, call me 'GI Dad' but the 'GI' refers to 'give in' rather than the GI Joe reference that I'd hoped they meant. Seriously, though, I think I'll be pretty fair but expect high standards - after all some of these contestants are at the top of their game.

"It's all been very exciting and I was very chuffed to be picked for The Professionals. I was pretty surprised to be honest but I think they wanted to get someone with as much experience as possible so they could drop them in at the deep end!

And the fact that my name also begins with a 'M' maybe helps. A bit of alliteration never hurts."

Days after Tebbutt's new role was announced, it was revealed that John Torode and Wallace had been replaced by Grace Dent and Anna Haugh for the amateur MasterChef series.

Torode and Wallace, who had been presenters on the show for the past two decades, were axed from the BBC programme after complaints against the duo were upheld.