FAN FAVE POH’S MASTERCHEF RETURN
There was an outpouring of sadness from fans – and even the judges – when Masterchef Australia frontrunner Poh Ling Yeow was eliminated from the competition.
But this isn’t goodbye to Poh, 47, with a production insider revealing to New Idea the popular cook has already struck a TV deal with Network Ten.
Her first job? “[As] a surprise guest judge for the finale,” reveals the source.
“They were able to include her in the finale as she was in lockdown post her eviction and not travelling anywhere,” the source explains.
And that’s reportedly just the tip of the iceberg, with the South Australian cook, artist and TV presenter believed to have inked a deal for other shows beyond Masterchef.
“Ten have been developing a new show with her as part of
“THEY WERE ABLE TO INCLUDE HER IN THE FINALE AS SHE WAS IN LOCKDOWN POST EVICTION”
the Masterchef network deal,” says the source.
Poh’s surprise exit from the show caught fans off guard, particularly as many had pegged her as a certain finalist and potential series winner.
However, the insider explains the audience’s dramatic reaction to Poh’s departure only confirmed the network’s decision to offer the celebrity cook an extended TV deal.
“[Ten] were banking on her eviction last week to get an extraordinary reaction – and it has,” says the source. “So they are thrilled they have a new show with her in the works.”
There’s one person, however, who is reportedly less than thrilled about Poh’s deal
– judge Melissa Leong.
Despite Melissa delivering a teary farewell tribute to Poh, the insider hints the pair have an awkward history.
“Melissa is not happy as preMasterchef she and Poh used to step on each other’s toes in [the] social/food world,” the insider reveals.
“Plus Poh has her own TV shows,” the insider adds. “And this is Melissa’s time to shine, which she has.”