Television chef Matt Tebbutt has swiftly secured a new position with the BBC following his departure from MasterChef: The Professionals after a single series. The Saturday Kitchen presenter, 52, announced he will host an upcoming podcast for the broadcaster, marking a fresh chapter in his broadcasting career.
From TV Judge to Podcast Host
Matt Tebbutt took to Instagram to share details of his latest venture, titled Checkout Confessions, which will be available on BBC Sounds. In his post, he expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating he will be "rummaging through some famous guests’ shopping baskets, uncovering childhood favourites, guilty pleasures and must-have buys." He described it as "the ultimate supermarket snoop."
MasterChef Exit Clarified
The podcast announcement comes shortly after Tebbutt addressed his exit from MasterChef: The Professionals. In a social media statement, he clarified, "I was only ever doing one series and I loved judging on it and will continue working with MasterChef." Sources indicate he may return as a special guest in future episodes.
An insider explained to The Sun that BBC bosses decided to continue with only Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti as lead judges, noting their strong chemistry made a trio unnecessary. The source emphasised, "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."
Industry Response and Future Plans
A spokesperson for Banijay, the production company behind MasterChef, stated, "No decisions have been made yet about the presenting line up for the future series of MasterChef. We won’t comment on speculation." This leaves the door open for potential changes, though Tebbutt's immediate focus is on his podcast.
When initially joining MasterChef: The Professionals last September, Tebbutt had praised his co-judges, saying, "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."
With this new podcast role, Matt Tebbutt continues his longstanding relationship with the BBC, ensuring he remains a prominent voice in the culinary and entertainment spheres despite his brief stint on the high-profile cooking competition.
