An exciting new version of MasterChef is set to launch later this year.
WATCH BELOW: A look inside MasterChef Australia 2021
As Channel Seven quietly prepares to launch Big Brother: VIP later this year – with network insiders telling New Idea the series will include a mix of celebrities and former “high-profile” Big Brother housemates – top TV insiders exclusively reveal that Channel Ten is moving fast to reproduce a rival celebrity spin-off of its own.
According to the well-placed source, Ten has given the go-ahead for the return of Celebrity MasterChef. The surprise new season is said to be replacing MasterChef Junior, which returned in 2020 after a nine-year hiatus – to less than impressive ratings!
“MasterChef Junior is out and Celebrity MasterChef is in!” quips the source, who reveals the success of shows like SAS: Australia and Dancing with the Stars: All Stars has TV executives scrambling to sign on talent “as quickly and as cheaply as possible”.
The source says new judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo will front the revived season, which originally aired in 2009, and that producers are working hard to develop an A-list line-up of potential contestants.
Former Australian sprint swimmer Eamon Sullivan took out the top spot in the show’s first instalment, competing against the likes of Alex Perry.
At the time, Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan were the judges, and the format of the show was a little different to the regular MasterChef, as it is based around heats and semi-finals, and is only aired once a week with an hourly format.
The celebrities who participated in the 2009 celebrityseason included names like Rachael Finch, Michelle Bridges, Ryan O’Keefe, Wendy Harmer, Alex Perry, and Josh Thomas.
Current judge Jock also suggested that Celebrity MasterChef will be making a return when speaking to the Fifi, Fev & Byron radio show last year.
During the interview, Jock was asked if there was a “senior” MasterChef that host Byron could go on.
“You can apply for the Celebrity MasterChef,” Jock let slip, all but confirming the series will be making a comeback.
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