In a surprise move, Channel Ten’s MasterChef Australia will go to air in 2024 with a new look judging panel after a fan favourite was pulled from the line-up.
Melissa Leong, joined the program in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo after Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left over a pay dispute.
Sadly, Zonfrillo died suddenly earlier this year at the age of 46.
Sources told the Australian Financial Review that Leong was informed of the change earlier this month.
Filming of the new season has already begun with new judges.
Series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin have joined the show, The Daily Telegraph revealed on Monday ahead of the official Channel 10 announcement on Tuesday.
Andy Allen will return to the program calling 2023 a “difficult year”.
“After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not one I took lightly,” Allen said.
“But there is something special in the MasterChef Australia Kitchen, and it feels right to come back to work with the amazing production team, and to play my role in seeing the contestants do as I have done. 2024 will be the start of a new chapter, and it will be surreal – yet brilliant – to share this moment with my fellow judges, Poh, Sofia and Jean-Christophe.”
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver had been floated as a potential replacement.
Leong will remain on the Channel Ten payroll as the host of Dessert Masters, alongside Amaury Guichon aka The Chocolate Guy, which will air in November.
The MasterChef spinoff takes 10 of Australia’s best pastry chefs and dessert makers and will put them through sweet treat themed challenges.
A Network 10 spokesman told the AFR the decision was due to the way Leong’s two programs were scheduled.
“There is no investigation that has played any part in the deciding of our judging line up,” a Network Ten spokesman said.
“Melissa Leong remains a key member of the MasterChef Australia family. Melissa is set to return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024, alongside fellow judge and pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon.
“Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will air back-to-back; therefore each show needs its own distinct style and personality and its own unique hosting team.”
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