MasterChef's Grace Dent saw weight 'drop right off' after giving up one thing

Grace Dent has revealed how she saw her weight plummet after she made a simple lifestyle change.

Last year, it was announced that the food critic would be taking over as one of the new hosts of MasterChef, along with chef Anna Haugh.

The pair are replacing the long-term presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, who left the show last year following allegations of misconduct.

At the time, Dent said: "I’m over the moon to be coming back to the MasterChef kitchen and unearthing what culinary skills people have been cooking up behind closed doors.

"I am in for such a treat with this series, I can’t wait to get started."

Celebrity MasterChef began on Monday (BBC)

Prior to joining MasterChef, the celebrity version of which kicked off on Monday (17 November), Dent explained that she had made a small lifestyle change which saw her weight drastically change.

Explaining that she would sometimes end up eating 4,000 calories before 10am, Dent told the Glad We Had This Chat podcast: "Being a restaurant critic means your body doesn’t belong to you, it belongs to the newspaper really. There is always thousands, and thousands, and thousands of calories coming.

"Yesterday, when I was at the restaurant, I’d eaten at least 4,000 calories by 10am. It’s perilously easy to do that, a big stack of pancakes, a really lovely latte and then trying another course, and then things in brioche, a little trifle, and there you go, 4,000. People who know me say it’s either a feast or like being with a giant squirrel."

Dent added: "I’m three years sober. I think three years ago I realised I couldn’t outrun my diet, no matter how much I walked."

Dent explained that once she stopped drinking, the weight 'started to drop right off'.

Dent previously featured on the show as a guest judge (BBC)

As the food critic made her judging debut on Monday, Celebrity MasterChef viewers were quick to praise Dent.

One wrote: "I love Grace Dent she'll smash this presenting role."

While another said: "Great to have #CelebrityMasterChef back. Love the new set and the addition of little challenges like the palate test. Grace Dent is the perfect addition as a host and judge too, breathing new life into the whole show."

People watching at home were quick to praise Dent (Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Gushing about her new role earlier this year, Dent told HELLO!: "I've always dreamed of presenting. It's been incredible. We've filmed one season, we filmed a season of Celebrity MasterChef. I had so much fun. I can't believe they're paying me.

"Look, I've been watching that show and all of its different forms since I was a little girl, so to now be standing there when all those contestants walk in, it's a dream come true. I'm quite emotional. Gosh, I never get emotional."

Celebrity MasterChef continues weekdays on BBC One.