Meghan Markle joins Jimmy Barnes and Robert Irwin as guest judges on MasterChef 2026
All the Australian celebrities and personalities who are set to appear on MasterChef 2026 including Robert Irwin and Jimmy Barnes.
www.womensweekly.com.auHere’s the latest on MasterChef judges as of 2026.
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MasterChef: The Professionals (BBC) refreshed its judging lineup for 2026 with Matt Tebbutt joining Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. This is the first major panel shake-up in over a decade, with Tebbutt replacing Gregg Wallace on the Professionals panel. This update points to a broader retooling of the UK franchise’s judging cadre.[1][5]
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MasterChef Australia (Channel Ten) also underwent significant judging changes for 2026. The Australian version featured a mix of returning veterans and new faces, including regular host Andy Allen continuing in a judging role alongside former contestant Poh Ling Yeow, and additions like Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli. Reports from several outlets in April 2026 highlighted the new judging dynamic and the show’s ongoing evolution post-2024 shake-ups.[3][8]
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Guest judge activity and broader panel shifts: Australian media coverage in 2026 has emphasized guest judge appearances by a rotating lineup of celebrities and notable chefs this season, reflecting a broader trend of injecting fresh perspectives while retaining core judging continuity. Articles from April 2026 discuss both the included guest judges and the ongoing adjustments following recent events in the franchise.[2][8]
Illustration: If you’d like, I can pull together a quick side-by-side chart showing who’s on each region’s panel for 2026, and note any notable changes from 2024–2025.
Would you like a concise table comparing the 2026 MasterChef Australia and MasterChef: The Professionals judges, including each judge’s role and tenure? I can also add a note on any expected guest judges for the season.