Heston won’t be returning to Masterchef (Picture: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Heston Blumenthal won’t be returning as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia this year.

A Channel 10 spokesman confirmed on Monday that the celebrity chef will not be coming back for the next series, although they haven’t given a reason why.

‘Heston has been a longtime member of the MasterChef Australia family, but he will not be appearing in the upcoming season,’ the spokesperson began.

‘Season 12 of MasterChef Australia is currently in production, and we look forward to showing viewers our amazing new judges and an incredible cast later in the year,’ they continued to the Herald Sun.


The 53-year-old is the latest Masterchef not returning to the show after Channel 10 didn’t ask back longtime hosts George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston in 2019.

Channel 10 hasn’t confirmed why the celebrity chef won’t be back (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

The programme will now be run by judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.



The news follows after it was alleged that Australian restaurant Dinner by Heston owed its staff $4.5million after years of underpayment.

Dinner by Heston is located at the Crown complex in Melbourne and is owned by the company Tipsy Cake.

Despite his name fronting the restaurant – the chef has no ownership of it – and there is no suggestion that Heston has anything to do with the staff being underpaid.

The restaurant appointed provisional liquidators late last year after Tipsy Cake missed its deadline with the Fair Work Ombudsman to pay back millions in underpaid wages owed to staff.

Heston Blumenthal’s rep has been approached for a comment.

Got a showbiz story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: The Split season two: Stephen Mangan reveals he gets abuse hurled at him in the street: ‘How could you cheat on Nicola Walker?’

MORE: This Morning’s Holly and Phil surprise couple with £1000 after losing purse and they have no idea