MasterChef judge 'axed' from show - but star says she left 'on own terms'
MELISSA Leong has shut down reports that she was axed from MasterChef Australia and instead left on her own terms. The food critic has departed the popular cooking show after a “magical”… Melissa Leong, a former MasterChef Australia judge, has resigned from the popular cooking show after four years. She announced her departure on Monday, a day before Channel Ten announced its 2024 programming slate. Despite some reports that she was axed from the show, Leong insists she left on her own terms. The upcoming season of Masterchef Australia will see three new judges, including returning host Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin, joining the panel. Despite these reports, Melissa remains a key member of the MasterChefs Australia family and is set to return for a second season of Dessert Masters in 2024.
公開済み : 2年前 沿って Tom Malley の Entertainment
KITCHEN DRAMA MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong ‘axed’ from show after four years – but star says she left ‘on her own terms’
MELISSA Leong has shut down reports that she was axed from MasterChef Australia and instead left on her own terms.
The food critic has departed the popular cooking show after a "magical" four years.
Melissa, 41, announced her departure on Monday - just one day before Channel Ten prepares to unveil its 2024 programming slate.
The upcoming season of MasterChef Australia will see returning host Andy Allen now joined by three new judges.
Series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin will all join the panel.
Regardless, Melissa will remain part of the Ten family as she prepares to present Dessert Masters, a MasterChef spin-off series, alongside Swiss-French pastry prodigy Amaury Guichon.
However, there are some reports which have claimed Melissa was pulled from the show.
According to AFR, people familiar with the situation, who spoke anonymously for fear of repercussions, said Melissa was informed she would not appear in the next season earlier this month.
But the now former co-host hit back at the false rumours with her own statement on Instagram.
She said: "My time as co-host and judge on @MasterChefAU has been a great gift.
"To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow - and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe is huge!
"Stepping away from the main show and into #DessertMastersAU alongside the extraordinary @AmauryGuichon, is yet another sweet present indeed.
"It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new lineup of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to @andyallencooks for leading the way" she continued.
"The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I'm so glad to do that, on my terms, today.
"On top of all that joy, I am excited to share with you (soon), some other projects I’ve been working on behind the scenes, so watch this space!
"My gratitude to our audience for all your support, can't wait for you to see the new show. Love and respect always."
A Network 10 spokesman said 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,” the 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.”
Melissa and Andy joined MasterChef in late 2019, after former judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris left the show amid a pay dispute.
Enigmatic Scottish chef, Jock Zonfrillo, then joined them as part of the cast in 2019.
Earlier this year, however, Mr Allen's former co-star was discovered dead just hours before the launch of season 15 in May.
The Glasgow-born chef, 46, allegedly flew home early from a family holiday in Rome without his wife and two young children.
Jock's body was then found in his hotel room in the early hours of Monday, April 30 after cops were called to carry out a welfare check.
As a result of the tragedy, Andy admitted it was a tough decision to return as host this year.
"After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not one I took lightly," he told The Daily Telegraph.
"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."
Poh said returning as a judge to the show that made her a household name was "a thrilling, full-circle moment".
The Malaysian-born Australian cook is a fan favourite in the MasterChef family, having finished as runner-up on the first season in 2009.
Newcomer Jean-Christophe Novelli, 62, is also no stranger to television cooking shows.
The French celebrity chef has appeared on Chef Academy, Culinary Genius and Hell's Kitchen alongside Gordon Ramsay.
Melbourne-based food critic Sofia Levin is also a famous face, and recently did a stint on The Cook Up with another MasterChef star, Adam Liaw.