Returning to Channel Seven for its 11th season this year, My Kitchen Rules struggled to keep ratings, despite its new format and return of favourite past teams.
After more than a decade on air and now in competition with the likes of Married At First Sight, the show saw a noticeable dive in viewership, which sparked cancellation rumours early in the season.
Now, according to TV Blackbox the show has finally been given the axe. Its controversial judge, Pete Evans, will leave the Seven Network altogether.
At the helm of the show alongside Manu Feildel since 2010, Pete has gained continuous criticism from fans over health advice he’s given off-screen as part of his alternative, Paleo lifestyle.
Is this goodbye for the MKR judges?
(Image: Instagram)Most recently the celebrity chef was fined $25,000 from the Therapeutic Goods Administration for promoting a device called a “BioCharge”.
The product, Pete claimed, could help protect against the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“It’s programmed with a thousand different recipes and there’s a couple in there for the Wuhan coronavirus,” he said in a Facebook live video in April.
However, the company responsible for creating the device then came out with a statement distancing themselves from Pete before clarifying: “the BioCharger NG is not a medical device.”
Pete’s advice has caused controversy online.
(Image: Instagram)It is believed the decision to leave is an “amicable, mutual” one, according to TV Blackbox, with Pete turning his focus to expanding his Paleo business.
Much-loved co-star Manu will, however, remain with the network and is set to move to their new cooking show, Plate Of Origin with ex-MasterChef judges, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan later this year.
Speaking previously with Now To Love judge Manu shared his thoughts on why the show was “slowing” down.
“We’ve been on air for 11 years,” he explained.
“There are other shows on other networks that people prefer to watch, that’s just the way it is.”
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