MasterChef Australia's original judges 'are set to return to the cooking show' after huge panel shake-up READ MORE: MasterChef's Melissa Leong shows off her figure in a strapless bikini as she takes plunge in ice bath after getting back into fitness regime By Kate Dennett For Daily Mail Australia Published: 23:58, 4 June 2024 | Updated: 00:11, 5 June 2024 e-mail View comments MasterChef Australia 's original judges Matt Preston , George Calombaris , Gary Mehigan have reportedly been lined-up to return to the show. The iconic trio fronted the Network Ten cookery competition from its 2009 launch until 2019, when they left after an alleged pay dispute. After their impressive ten-year stint, they were then replaced by new panel Andy Allen , Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo - who tragically died in April 2023.
But it has now been claimed that viewers have not seen the last of the original judges as they are said to be considering a return to the program. A source claimed that they might be returning to the show for its 2025 series in what will be ' unmissable, event television'. MasterChef Australia 's original judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan have reportedly been lined-up to return to the show 'When a show has been on-air for as long as MasterChef has, executives are always looking for ways to freshen the format,' they told New Idea .
However, Network 10 firmly denied the reports and claimed the newly signed up 2024 panel will be returning next year to present.