Reality TV

From eloping after months of dating to an amicable split: A look at Melissa Leong’s romance with ex-husband Joe Jones

''I planned our elopement in between takes while filming another TV show.''
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She’s the MasterChef judge who knows exactly what she wants from the kitchen contenders – and in her personal life too it seems!

When Melissa Leong met her now ex-husband, bar owner Joe Jones, four years ago, the pair not only got engaged after just three months together – they tied the knot just two months later!

“When you know you know,” Melissa told TV WEEK during an interview in 2020.

“I first met him briefly at his bar in Melbourne Romeo Lane,” she recalled.

“Then we met again properly about 18 months later at a function. We started talking there and we’ve just not ever ceased since really. It’s pretty cool.”

Mel and Joe hit it off immediately.

(Instagram)

Melissa explained that after mutually deciding to get engaged three months into their relationship, they decided to get on with the nuptials pronto too.

“I planned our elopement in between takes while filming another TV show [SBS’s The Chef’s Line],” Melissa said.

“When that wrapped, we went to Joshua Tree in California and eloped. It was all very fun.”

Joe and Melissa eloped overseas.

(Instagram)

Sadly, it wasn’t meant to last and the couple called it quits in December last year.

Taking to Instagram, the TV foodie revealed she and husband Joe Jones had decided to separate.

“It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart,” she began.

“We ask for your kindness and consideration for our privacy, we will not be making any further comment as our private lives have, and will always remain exactly that.

“We wish you peace at the end of such a challenging year for all.”

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