Gregg Wallace hopes Grace Dent is “OK” after leaving I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! “for medical reasons” – but has refuted a fan’s theory that it was because of the food in the jungle.

The MasterChef judge does not believe that the 50-year-old food critic, who regularly appears on the BBC One show to criticise the contestants’ creations, could have been “put off” by the rice and beans meal in camp, as she herself has eaten some questionable dishes on MasterChef over the years.

At the Rose d’Or Awards, he told reporters: “She has been a restaurant critic for many years – and has eaten some really bad dishes! That can’t have been it.”

“I stood next to her while she was cutting up a half-raw piece of chicken – there was no way the jungle could have stopped her!

“I don’t know why she’s gone. We’re in the middle of filming, so I don’t know – I just hope she’s OK.”

Gregg’s comments come after he left ‘I’m a Celebrity’ this week for “medical reasons”.

In Monday night’s episode (27.11.23), campmate Nick Pickard read a message from Grace after her exit from the jungle.

It read: “My dear camp comrades, I am so sorry to let you down. I left the camp for medical reasons.”

“My heart is broken. I have loved and enjoyed getting to know you all. You have supported me and it has been a pleasure to be your friend throughout this experience. Leaving you all at this stage will be one of the saddest things in my life.

“I love you all.

“Your friend, Miss Grace Dent.”

Responding to the news, “I’m a Celebrity” star Frankie Dettori said: “Grace, we miss you.”

Danielle Harold said, “I love you, Grace.”

Grace’s exit from the show was first confirmed by ITV.

The broadcaster said in a statement: “Unfortunately, Grace Dent has left the show due to health reasons.

“She was a great campmate and will be missed by her fellow celebs and viewers alike.”