Claims MasterChef may ‘shake things up’ and drop one of its new cast members

A new report in Woman’s Day claimed on Monday that MasterChef Australia: Back to Win may be shaking things up – and dropping one of their judges. 

Series four winner and chef Andy Allen, food critic Melissa Leong, and restaurateur and chef Jock Zonfrillo all joined the cast this season when Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan were canned. 

And none of the new kids on the block are safe, the magazine claims. 

Woman’s Day quoted an alleged source who claimed, ‘In this climate, TV is much too volatile to have talent signing on for years and years’. 

The alleged insider added:  ‘It’s possible Ten might shake things up again in future seasons to develop more and more intrigue… anything could happen!’  

The magazine goes on to claim the judge in the most vulnerable position is Melissa, 38, who has been the subject of fan criticism and was caught out slamming the show in the past.  

The beauty has had a controversial relationship with the MasterChef brand, writing less than flattering commentary about the show in the past.   

‘I wasn’t a die-hard MasterChef fan,’ she admitted to TV Week magazine last month. 

‘But I wasn’t hired to be a fan. I’ve enjoyed the episodes I’ve watched, and I’ve had many friends on the show, but I wasn’t a devotee.’

In a series of unearthed tweets dating back to 2011 and 2012, the newly appointed judge made scathing comments about the show she now works for. 

‘What happens when you go on MasterChef & then open a restaurant? Apparently not much. Back to 2nd hand car sales then…’ she wrote back in 2012.  

Speaking to TV Week magazine on Monday, Melissa said it was important to remember that no-one is ‘universally’ loved.   

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Ten for comment.