The Real Reason the Judges Quit MasterChef PLUS New Judges Revealed

Following the breaking news of Matt, Gary and George confirmed to be leaving MasterChef, the trio have spoken out about the real reason behind their decision.

Network 10 confirmed last night that they dropped the original MasterChef judges and said that the well-known trio will not be returning to the blockbuster cooking show next year.

The CEO of 10, Paul Anderson, said that despite months of negotiation, “10 has not been able to reach a commercial agreement that was satisfactory to Matt, Gary and George.”

“We would like to thank Gary, George and Matt for their contribution over the past 11 years,” he added.

It has been reported that the reason for the judges’ departure is rooted in a failed pay negotiation, Gary has claimed it was never about money but instead about timing.

In a statement published to his Instagram page ahead of the finale on Tuesday night, Gary wrote: ‘It was time to move on, have more free time to explore our own creativity’ It was never about the money and never will be about the money.’

‘We couldn’t agree on the term of the new contract for 2020 and season 12. Something we felt very strongly about.’

Matt also referred to ‘terms for the new contract’ in a vague explanatory post on his Instagram page.

‘We were really keen to continue but we were unable to agree to all terms for the new contract,’ he wrote in a post uploaded Tuesday night, moments after Gary’s post emerged.

George also referred to the timing of the contract as being the make-or-break factor, writing in a lengthy post on Instagram this Tuesday: ‘We were close to signing a new contract for season 12 however the dates just didn’t align.’

View this post on Instagram

Thank you so very much for supporting @masterchefau over the last 11 years. We have loved every single moment. It is however with a heavy heart that I can confirm that season 11 was our last. We were really keen to continue but we were unable to agree to all terms for the new contract. We have enjoyed 11 wonderful years on Masterchef Australia with Network Ten, and I want to take this opportunity to thank Ten for this amazing opportunity and for Network Ten’s backing of this very special show. We have met some beautiful people, discovered and guided some of the brightest up-and-comers in the Australian food scene, worked with the best chefs in the world in front of the camera, and with the TV industry’s finest professionals behind the scenes. And of course, we three judges have formed a lifelong friendship that will live on far beyond the show. I want to take this opportunity to thank you and everyone who has shared our amazing journey with us – especially all those fantastic contestants. I look forward to sharing many more adventures with you in the future. And finally I wish the new judges all the best with the show that we love so much. Thank you all. I don’t want to take any gloss off tonight’s well deserved winner so I will not be making any further comment. Love Matt.

A post shared by Matt Preston (@mattscravat) on Jul 23, 2019 at 2:10am PDT

View this post on Instagram

To all of our fans ‘thank you’ To the team that makes MasterChef ‘thank you’ and to all of the contestants that we know and love, we are all part of a very exclusive club and what a journey what an experience. To explain: ‘It was time to move on, have more free time to explore our own creativity’ It was never about the money and never will be about the money. We couldn’t agree on the term of the new contract for 2020 and season 12. Something we felt very strongly about. The opportunity to work with Matt and George has been a blessing and something I cherish. Working together will continue to be the most important thing for us…..the three musketeers…….???? @mattscravat @gcalombaris @masterchefau #masterchefau #foodies #foodiesofinstagram #homecooks #homecooking #masterchef A post shared by Gary Mehigan (@garymehigan) on Jul 23, 2019 at 2:11am PDT

So what does this mean for MasterChef?

It has been reported that Poh Ling Yeow, Maggie Beer and Curtis Stone will take over as MasterChef’s three new judges.

However a Network Ten spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle, the final decision has yet to be confirmed.

masterchef new

“Maggie, Curtis and Poh are loved members of the MasterChef family,” they said. “We are currently casting the judges for 2020 and no decision has been made.”

Who would you love to see as the new judges on MasterChef?

20 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 15 May 2023
    10:15 am
I have never watched the show. I have seen bits and pieces but never watched a show from start to finish

- - becstalou said
  - 08 Aug 2019
    7:09 pm
Will be interesting to see who takes over but those three sound like a good choice.

- - MisChip said
  - 26 Jul 2019
    11:06 pm
The show is tired anyway…

- - mom320037 said
  - 26 Jul 2019
    8:17 pm
I’m excited to see the new judges on the show! I love Poh, Curtis and Maggie Beer so I’ll be very happy if they are going to be the new judges

- - ella12 said
  - 26 Jul 2019
    2:59 pm
Pretty disgraceful what George did. I would like to see Maggie, Curtis and Billie McKay.

- - Kimeeja said
  - 26 Jul 2019
    1:53 pm
The show just wont be the same no matter who they get replace them. I can see Poh on the show but think they’ll take a different direction and go with younger judges that Maggie & Curtis.

- - tessie said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    2:02 pm
I don’t watch reality shows because, to me, people don’t act like that in real life. I’ve watched it a couple of times because friends were watching but it never made a very good impression on me. Can’t stand the way contestants back stab each other and make snide remarks. That’s a definite turn off for me

- - rovermum said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    1:30 pm
I stopped watching Masterchef after Brent Owen won it. It’s had a good run. Has it just timed out as most of these types of shows will do?

- - mom160421 said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    10:17 am
I got bored after season 1, as I do with most reality shows, so new judges won’t entice me to watch.

- - mom87251 said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    9:59 am
I believe it is time to put the show to rest and leave on a high note. They have had a great show and I know that people can be replaced but I also know it will never be the same

- - nadine_hill said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    9:19 am
Would be great to have at least one woman judge – I love Maggie!

- - Ellen said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    7:39 am
This makes the story a bit different. I never saw this show.

- - DaffyD said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    7:15 am
The show could use a female on team its been all men for too long

- - musicmum said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    2:12 am
Will be great to have a couple of women as judges, will bring a new and fresh dynamic to the show. I hope they also start doing plant based foods, I might even start to watch the show because I did not like the current format or judges.

- - mom265671 said
  - 25 Jul 2019
    12:55 am
Would love to see Poh on there

- - nealsq said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    11:05 pm
I don’t watch the show much, mainly just waiting for it to finish so I can watch the show on after lol but hopefully some new judges will breath some fresh air in to the program

- - ashna9 said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    7:48 pm
I’d like to see Curtis Stone head the judge line up.

- - mom173467 said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    2:46 pm
Care factor “0” used to watch the show but a bit bored with it actually does one ever know the truth behind such decisions. I’m sure the ongoing George saga had something to do with it. Maybe it was the last straw. Probably be good having a new team and an overhaul.

- - mom206279 said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    1:04 pm
I stuggle to believe that the issues with George at the moment have nothing to do with it.

- - MrsA said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    12:18 pm
I don’t watch the show often but it will be weird with completely different judges.