Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt axed from MasterChef: The Professionals after just one series
After taking over from controversial host Gregg Wallace, presenter Matt Tebbutt has been axed from MasterChef: The Professionals after just one series.
A MasterChef: The Professionals host has been axed - after just one series of the re-vamped show - according to reports. Presenter Matt Tebbutt replaced controversial former face of the show, Gregg Wallace, for the 18th series of the cookery mainstay.
He featured alongside star chefs Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. But it has now been reported the Saturday Kitchen host, 52, will not return to the BBC show.
The Sun reported one source as saying programme makers believe they could "get away with just having Marcus and Monica at the helm", adding how "three was a bit of a crowd".
They said the move might appear confusing to fans, Tebbutt would likely return as a guest host, adding: "He didn't do anything wrong and will definitely come back to the series as a guest in the future. 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."
A BBC Spokesperson said: "No decisions have been made yet about the presenting line up for the future series of MasterChef. We won't comment on speculation."
Tebbutt had been well received by fans after taking on the role, and spoke of his own excitement at the job before the series hit screens. "It's been a joy. I've loved every minute and these two next to me (Marcus and Monica) have been so supportive," he said. "I've become so invested in the chefs and their progress and how they've changed throughout the series."
He added: "The thing that stood out for me was just how invested these chefs are and how much work goes into it for them outside of filming. Their commitment was clear and it was also clear to see how much they changed from week one to week seven - the progression was, was enormous.
"You could easily think of MasterChef that, yes, it's just a TV show. But for these chefs, it's so much more than that. There's a lot at stake. And they take it very, very seriously. And it's really good to see."