Matt Tebbutt Exits MasterChef: The Professionals After One Season
In a surprising turn of events, Matt Tebbutt has reportedly been let go as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals after just one season. The 52-year-old television personality, known for his role on Saturday Kitchen, joined prominent chefs Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti last year to lead the BBC competition series.
Sources indicate that the decision to remove Tebbutt was made by the show’s producers, who believe the format can successfully continue with Wareing and Galetti as the sole judges. It is understood that the show’s dynamic can be maintained without the additional presence of a third judge, as the existing duo’s chemistry and rapport remains strong.
Producers at Banijay, the company behind the show, are reportedly considering bringing Tebbutt back as a guest judge in future episodes. His departure follows a transitional period last year when he succeeded Gregg Wallace, who exited the series following a six-month investigation into alleged misconduct on set.
A source shared with The Sun, “It may raise eyebrows that Matt isn’t continuing, especially since he just joined. He has not done anything wrong and will definitely return to the series in some capacity.” The source added that the decision aligns with a general assessment that “three was a bit of a crowd.”
Commenting on his removal from the judging panel, the source noted, “Matt has taken it all in stride and has enough other commitments to keep him occupied. The whole experience provided him with fantastic exposure.”
A spokesperson for the BBC stated to Express.co.uk, “No decisions have been made yet about the presenting lineup for future installments of MasterChef. We won’t be commenting on speculation.” Similarly, a representative from Banijay reiterated that plans regarding the judging lineup are still under consideration.
When Matt first announced his role as a judge in September, he expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “It’s an absolute honour to be working alongside these two titans of the food world. Their knowledge and uncompromising attitude are legendary, and I look forward to them guiding me as we see the chefs embark on their culinary journeys.”
As the future of the judging panel remains uncertain, fans of the show will be keen to see how the upcoming seasons will evolve.
Source: Original Source
