It’s the biggest shake-up in My Kitchen Rules history with desperate producers recruiting some of the biggest villains and champions from previous seasons to spice up the cooking show and attract a new generation of viewers.
With Seven yet to announce the cast for the 2020 season, Woman’s Day can exclusively reveal that it will for the first time include stars from previous seasons going head-to-head with newcomers.
Several former MKR contestants were caught secretly filming the new series last week, including 2013 winners Dan and Steph Mulheron, acid-tongued villain Sophia Pou and last year’s controversial cook Romel Kouyan.
A Seven insider last week confirmed that the new-look MKR will almost be a mash-up of four different reality shows.
“It’s like Married At First Sight meets Survivor meets Big Brother,” says the source, explaining that the former MKR stars will compete with new competitors (like Survivor: Champions Versus Contenders) and partners will swap (like MAFS).
WATCH: My Kitchen Rules: Victor walks out of the Super Dinner Party. Post continues after video…
But the insider says perhaps the biggest shock is that producers have also borrowed from pioneering reality show Big Brother – they plan to feature the spats and arguments contestants have off-camera and in the MKR House to add an extra dimension to the cooking show.
“There are two groups of five teams, with the first lot comprising of some very familiar faces, which will go up against everyday fans of the show,” says the source.
The insider adds that extra tension will be created by joining two villains like Romel and Sophia together to form one team. “Him and Sophia are a no-brainer – they’d make explosive TV together!”
Keep scrolling to see all the former contestants who are back!
Raechel and Roula
Besties Rachael and Roula appeared in the 2018 season and were quickly branded villains, but Roula later insisted she’s just a “pretty down-to-earth socialite”.
Roula
Roula blew a kiss for the cameras…
Raechel
…while Raechel managed to sneak in a selfie!
The MKR rivalry between Jess and Emma and Rachael and Roula heats up
Jac and Shaz
The cousins-turned-cooking partners were 2015’s runners-up, and will be back with a vengeance this time around.
Jac
Jac was spotted wrapping up warm.
Dan and Steph
They took out the top spot as MKR champions in 2013, but now Dan and Steph have a dramatic new look and feel. Could the couple have a new edge?
Dan and Steph 2013
The couple have changed a lot since 2013!
Jake and Elle
Runners-up in 2013, brother-and-sister team Jake and Elle said the show dropped them like “hot cakes”, but now they’re back with their tail between their legs.
Sophia
Famous for referring to the decor in one restaurant as “looking like a pinata threw up”, it’s safe to say Sophia won’t be holding back!
Ashlee and Sophia’s catchphrase on My Kitchen Rules
Romel
Romel helped cover up this year’s biggest “cheating” scandal and landed in the finale – but without Ibby, will he survive?
Romel and Sophia
“Him and Sophia are a no-brainer – they’d make explosive TV together!”
Colin Fassnidge
Colin Fassnidge is back as a judge.
Pete Evans
Original host Pete Evans is also back, but there was no sign of Manu Feildel.
