MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA

7.30PM, MONDAY-THURSDAY, 10 CONFESSION: watching the first episode of the ‘new era’ MasterChef – and enjoying it – came with a side serving of guilt for moving on so quickly after the exit of judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris. The goodwill and heart the trio have stitched into the fabric of this brilliant reality series is still there. That said, the casting of Gordon Ramsay in the first week of this new season was a master stroke by producers; with the more experienced TV hand taking control of proceedings and allowing the new judges – Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo – to find their feet without the weight of the world on their shoulders. Allen is a natural, Leong is the surprise package and Zonfrillo is my new favourite. The new season is better than ever.