MasterChef Australia has been hit by rumours of a major shake-up, but they are standing firm!
Word was that Andy Allen, 38, may be ready to step away from the judges’ panel, with sources claiming that the arrival of his new baby has prompted some serious reflection about what comes next.
If he did go, it would leave a significant hole to fill in the panel, which currently consists of core judges, Andy, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli.
However, Channel 10 has since broken their silence on the rumours, insisting that Andy has no plans to go anywhere.
“We love our MasterChef judges, and so do the audience. Andy is essential to the show, and we cannot imagine MasterChef without him,” they said in a statement.
It was previously claimed that former contestant Declan Cleary, 27, could be lined up as a potential replacement judge if Andy left the show.
The loveable, charismatic cook has been a contestant in the MasterChef Australia kitchen twice over the years, winning audiences over every single time with his infectious energy and genuine passion for food.
Declan himself did nothing to quash the rumours, recently sharing a story about the MasterChef Australia job to his Instagram Stories.
“A couple of good looking roosters making headlines,” he quipped in his post.
His ties to the show get even more interesting when you factor in his personal life.
Declan is now in a relationship with fellow MasterChef Australia alumna Sarah Todd, whom he met in late 2024 when they were both contestants on the Back to Win season.
The pair share twin daughters together, making them one of the show’s most beloved real-life romances.
Sarah is also set to appear as a guest judge this current season as they maintain a keen involvement in the show.
Andy has stepped back from MasterChef to focus on his family after he welcomed his first child with his wife, Alex, with guest judges stepping in while he’s absent.
Announcing the news to Instagram last month, he shared adorable photographs of his baby boy and confirmed his name: Jude Jackson Allen.
And fans couldn’t help but notice that the double “J” names could be a touching reminder of his late co-host and friend, Jock.
“The letter J in Jude is also a reminder of Jock!! So special,” one fan commented.
“Congratulations. Jock should be so proud of you. Such a beautiful name too,” another said.
“Jock would be so proud of you! Congratulations,” a third penned.
“Love the name,” another added.
