News

MasterChef's star judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan will be back on Channel 10 next year for another helping. In a major boost for the network, the Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the three judges have signed with Ten for next year. Ten would not comment on the contract length, but did confirm the judges would be back. ``MasterChef is incredibly successful and we are not surprised by rumours of rival networks sniffing around, but be assured our judges are under contract to MasterChef,'' a Ten spokesperson said. ``They and the show won't be going anywhere.'' The signings put an end to speculation Channel 7 was trying poach the popular judges for a new show or to boost Seven's marquee cooking show, My Restaurant Rules. The show is scheduled to run on Ten for at least the next two years. MasterChef has been a ratings winner for Ten and has changed the face of television. The chemistry between the judges has been crucial to the show's success, and each of the three has become celebrities in their own right. Favourite to win the competition Marion Grasby threw off her apron to reveal she also has a great taste in fashion (right) while throwing her support behind Ten. ``I don't think it really matters to the punter generally whether it's on Channel 7, Channel 10 or the ABC (but Ten was the channel that took a bet on it and I think that they deserve to keep the show that they put their faith in,'' she said. Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne), July 4.