NEW Masterchef: The Professionals judge Matt Tebbutt has been dropped after just one series.

Bosses at the scandal-hit BBC show realised the show would survive with just long-running culinary gurus Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti at the helm.Matt Tebbutt smiling with arms crossed in a kitchen setting.
Matt Tebbutt has been axed as host of MasterChef: The Professionals after one seriesCredit: Steve Meddle
 
TV host and chef Matt Tebbutt smiling in a kitchen.
The BBC won’t be bringing the star back for another seriesCredit: PA
Producers at Banijay, who make the show, plan to bring Saturday Kitchen stalwart Matt, 52, back from time-to-time as a guest judge.

It comes after he replaced sacked Gregg Wallace, 61, on the Masterchef spin-off last year, following a six-month inquiry into alleged misconduct.

A source said: “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.

“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.”

Matt’s agent did not respond when the Sun reached out for comment.

When Matt was announced as the new judge last September Matt 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!”