Gary Mehigan reveals the TRUTH about his exit from MasterChef – saying it was ‘a long time coming’ even though it ‘was a shock to the public’
He walked away from MasterChef last year after more than a decade as a judge.
And Gary Mehigan has spoken about his decision to part ways with the franchise that made him famous, telling TV Week his exit was ‘a long time coming’.
‘It was a shock to the public we left, but for us, it was a conversation and a decision that we hadn’t taken lightly and had been a long time coming,’ the 53-year-old said.
Moving on: Ex-MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan has spoken about his decision to part ways with the franchise that made him famous, telling TV Week his exit was ‘a long time coming’
‘We wanted to move and do something different,’ he added, referring to his fellow ex-judges Matt Preston and George Calombaris, who also left the show in July 2019.
Gary went on to praise MasterChef’s new hosts, Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo, saying he was happy to ‘pass the baton into good hands’.
The celebrity chef has since defected from Channel 10 to the Seven Network, where he will host the new cooking competition Plate of Origin.
Candid: ‘It was a shock to the public we left, but for us, it was a conversation and a decision that we hadn’t taken lightly and had been a long time coming,’ the 53-year-old said
He will be joined by fellow MasterChef alum Matt Preston and former My Kitchen Rules star Manu Feildel.
In a recent trailer for the show, the three judges compliment the culturally diverse teams on their impressive dishes.
Until recently, Seven had difficulties including Gary and Matt in promos for Plate of Origin due to contractual issues with Channel 10.
Diplomatic: Gary went on to praise the new hosts, Melissa Leong (centre), Andy Allen (right) and Jock Zonfrillo (left), saying he was happy to ‘pass the baton into good hands’
For months after announcing the show, Seven had been prevented from using the pair in advertising material because they were still bound to their former employer.
This deal expired in July, however, when all three Plate of Origin judges were shown together on screen for the first time.
Plate of Origin is coming soon to Channel Seven and 7plus
Fresh meat! Gary has since defected from Channel 10 to the Seven Network, where he will host the cooking show Plate of Origin. Pictured with Matt Preston (left) and Manu Feildel (right)