Jordan Banjo is to replace Gregg Wallace on 'Eat Well For Less?'.
Jordan Banjo
After the 'MasterChef' judge announced his departure from the BBC One food series last month, it had been reported that Jordan's brother, Ashley Banjo, had screen tested alongside Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh for the position and was subsequently offered the gig, however, he was unable to fit it into his schedule.
An insider has now claimed 32-year-old Ashley - whose recent work has included standing in for Simon Cowell on 'Britain's Got Talent' - recommended his younger sibling, 26, for the part after his incredible body transformation, which saw the former 'The Greatest Dancer' host shed seven stone.
A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: “Ashley was gutted he couldn’t take on Eat Well For Less?, as it’s a massive show.
“But he told bosses about his brother Jordan and his amazing seven-stone weight loss. They got him in for a screen test and instantly loved him.
“He’ll be appearing on the show alongside co-host Chris Bavin when filming begins this spring.”
Gregg, 56, decided to step down from the programme - which examines the issue of rising food prices and how they impact finances and eating habits - after eight years at the helm alongside Chris Bavin, reportedly because he's too busy to juggle his many commitments.
He confirmed in January: "I’ve loved working on the series with Chris but now it’s time to hand over the knife and fork to someone else to continue helping people eat well.”
Gregg is largely kept busy shooting 'MasterChef' with John Torode, because as well as the regular edition, he also fronts the celebrity and professional spin-offs.
However, it's not just the culinary competitions taking up most of the former greengrocer's time, as he's also got 'Inside the Factory' on BBC Two, and a new ITV series, 'South Africa With Gregg Wallace', as well as a new fitness segment on Channel 5's 'Jeremy Vine Show'.
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