MasterChef star Melissa Leong axed from show

Popular MasterChef judge Melissa Leong has been axed from her role. She’s set to be replaced a former winner of the show.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 30: Melissa Leong attends the 63rd TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star, Sydney on July 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sam Tabone/Getty Images)

Melissa Leong has been “axed” from her role on MasterChef Australia.

The popular judge’s exit was announced by Channel Ten as the broadcaster revealed a major shake-up for the popular cookery show ahead of its upcoming season.

Leong is being replaced by MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

A source close to the show told The Australian Financial Review that Leong was only told earlier this month that she wouldn’t be returning, just weeks ahead of filming for season 16.

Melissa Leong has been axed from MasterChef Australia. Picture: Supplied

Yeow is best known to MasterChef viewers as the beloved runner-up from the show’s debut season in 2009, who went on to host numerous cooking shows of her own following her exit.

Sharing her excitement over her return, this time as a judge, Yeow said: “Talk about a thrilling, full circle moment. MasterChef Australia is where my food story began, so this feels like coming home. A big part of me will always be standing on the other side with the contestants and I hope when they look to me, they see proof you don’t have to win to win.”

Food critic Sofia Levin will be joining as a fourth judge, alongside returning star Andy Allen. Axed judge Leong will continue to star on fellow Channel Ten cooking series, Dessert Masters, which begins next month.

A Channel Ten spokesman said of her exit: “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.”

Leong will instead be joining brand new show Dessert Masters. Photo by Sam Tabone/Getty Images.

Speaking about her exit, Leong said that her time on the show had changed her life, and she would look back on it with great respect.

“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!” she wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

Jock Zonfrillo tragically passed away earlier this year and it deeply impacted his former co-stars. Picture: Supplied.

Meanwhile, Andy Allen said that his decision to return to the show following the tragic death of his co-star, Jock Zonfrillo, was “not one he took lightly”.

He said: “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,” he added.

Zonfrillo’s death was confirmed by Channel 10 in a statement on the same day MasterChef was scheduled to return for its 2023 season. Following the news, the series was initially pulled from broadcast.

“With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” Jock’s family said in a statement at the time.

“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words.

“For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.