Matt Tebbutt will not return to MasterChef The Professionals after just one series at the helm, it has been reported. He stepped in to replace axed Gregg Wallace
Matt stepped in to replace axed Gregg Wallace(Image: PA)
Matt Tebbutt is reportedly not returning to MasterChef The Professionals after just one series at the helm. The TV chef was drafted in to replace Gregg Wallace, who was axed from the show over misconduct allegations.
It has been reported that the popular TV host will not be returning to the BBC professionals series when this one wraps – with just Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti hosting the show.
Sources claim that the decision for Matt not to return is nothing to do with the presenter and more so because of the closeness with Monica and Marcus, who have been on the show since 2014 bar a brief hiatus for Monica.
“There might be a few eyebrows raised that Matt isn’t staying on given he has just joined. He didn’t do anything wrong and will definitely come back to the series as a guest in the future,” a source told The Sun.
“But bosses simply realised that they could get away with just having Marcus and Monica at the helm, especially as their chemistry is great and they have a tight relationship. Three was a bit of a crowd. Matt has taken it all in his stride and has plenty of other work to keep him busy. The whole experience was brilliant exposure for him.”
A Banijay spokeswoman said: “No decisions have been made yet about the presenting line up for the future series of MasterChef. We won’t comment on speculation.”
When Matt joined the show last year, he described it as an “absolute honour”. Announcing the exciting news, he said: “It’s an absolute honour to be working alongside these two titans of the food world. Their knowledge and uncompromising attitude is now the stuff of legend and I look forward to them taking me under their wing and seeing the chefs get off to a flying start in the competition!”
Matt previously confessed it was difficult stepping into Gregg’s shoes. He explained: “Stepping into someone’s TV shoes is a difficult position to be in. But I did it before – under totally different circumstances, of course – when James Martin left Saturday Kitchen.
“I just try and make my own mark without making too many waves. I’ll be as safe as houses on MasterChef: The Professionals! It’s fair to say the ‘Good Cop’ would apply here. My two grown-up kids, for instance, call me ‘GI Dad’ but the ‘GI’ refers to ‘give in’ rather than the GI Joe reference that I’d hoped they meant. Seriously, though, I think I’ll be pretty fair but expect high standards – after all some of these contestants are at the top of their game.
“It’s all been very exciting and I was very chuffed to be picked for The Professionals. I was pretty surprised to be honest but I think they wanted to get someone with as much experience as possible so they could drop them in at the deep end! And the fact that my name also begins with a ‘M’ maybe helps. A bit of alliteration never hurts.”
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