EXCLUSIVE MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow breaks her silence on rumours she is quitting popular cooking show - and if she will be returning in 2026
Poh Ling Yeow has addressed swirling rumours she's stepping away from MasterChef Australia.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal the 51-year-old has signed on to return for the 2026 season, putting an end to recent speculation she was preparing to bow out.
A spokesperson for the popular chef flatly denied the claims, revealing: 'There's no truth to the speculation. Poh is loving her time on MasterChef and feels like she's found her place.'
It follows a report by New Idea earlier this week suggesting Poh was considering leaving the series, prompting executives to quietly begin scouting a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli at the judging table.
Among the names floated as a potential replacement? None other than fan favourite Julie Goodwin - the very contestant who beat Poh to win the first season of MasterChef back in 2009.
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'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the magazine.
'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.'
Julie, 54, made a triumphant return to the franchise in 2022 and delighted fans when she appeared as a guest judge last year.
Insiders told the magazine she 'absolutely loved' the experience and would be open to returning in a more permanent capacity if the opportunity arose.
Poh, meanwhile, joined the judging panel in 2022 following the shock death of Jock Zonfrillo and the departures of Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.
While she's embraced the role, the artist-turned-chef has admitted the transition hasn't always been seamless.
Speaking on the From The Newsroom podcast earlier this year, Poh revealed she often finds herself mentally back in the contestant's apron.
'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said.
'That's how much I miss and love it.'
She has also taken on a new role outside the MasterChef kitchen and was announced as an ambassador for Tourism NT in January.
At the time, she said she wishes to inspire Australians to discover a holiday up north that is 'different in every sense'.
'As someone who adores travel, learning, and finding inspiration in new places, the NT is a dream destination,' Poh said.
'From the breathtaking Top End to the awe-inspiring Red Centre, I've fallen in love with it all - and I couldn't be prouder to showcase everything this extraordinary place has to offer!'
In her new role, Poh will spotlight the 'unparalleled beauty, rich cultures, vibrant food scene and artistic heritage' of the Northern Territory.
Poh stepped into the role after gracing the cover of The Australian Women's Weekly for the first ever Outback Christmas issue last year.
She has since been exploring the vast territory, famous for its red desert landscapes, and visiting some iconic destinations.
Travelling through Top End, the celebrity cook enjoyed stops at Litchfield National Park, Finniss River Lodge and the Territory's tropical capital, Darwin.
She then made her way down to the Red Centre where she visited Alice Springs (Mparntwe), Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole.
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