MasterChef Australia judge Poh Ling Yeow has denied claims that Meghan Markle was difficult on the set of the cooking show, saying she was 'really lovely' to everyone involved.
Meghan was a guest judge on the Australian programme, where she instructed contestants to create a dish 'fit for a Duchess'. During the episode, she spoke about how her children Archie and Lilibet love eating Brussel sprouts, before the Duke of Sussex video-called during the judging. MasterChef was filmed in April during Meghan and Harry's visit Down Under, and aired at the end of July.
Claims of 'difficulty' on set
At the time the episode was filmed, there were claims that Meghan had been 'difficult' on set when she was referred to as 'royalty' by judge Poh Ling Yeow during her introduction, which Meghan was reportedly 'very frustrated' by.
Appearing on a Perth radio programme to share the real story from behind the scenes of the episode, Poh said: "If I had a buck for every time I've been asked about Meghan, I'd be a billionaire."
Poh added: "We had such a lovely time with her. She was a model citizen honestly. Just no fuss, she actually hung out with us judges and didn't scurry away into her green room. She was completely engaged with the whole process and she really knows her food. There was nothing to complain about at all."
Rumours dismissed as 'ridiculous'
The MasterChef judge was then asked by the radio hosts about the furore around the episode, citing some of the rumours that were circulated by 'unnamed sources', to which Poh said: "It's ridiculous."
She continued: "It's the first time anything like that has happened to me. So it's been very eye-opening to me to see what Meghan cops everyday, and it's really full on."
Record-breaking ratings
Despite the controversy surrounding Meghan's involvement in the show and her alleged on-set grievances, more than one million people tuned in to watch the episode.
More than 1.5 million people watched the show as it broke the record for the biggest overnight Sunday audience since July 2023 and the biggest-ever overnight streaming audience, according to figures released by broadcaster Network 10.
The impressive viewing figures were released in the days after the episode aired, as watchers shared their divided opinions online over Meghan's involvement in the episode, given the guest judge position on the show is usually reserved for high-calibre chefs.
One viewer said: "It makes you feel a bit sorry for the contestants. They've gone on that show to learn from industry chefs, which Meghan is not. She's a home cook, like the competitors are." Others, however, loved to see the Duchess on the programme, saying her calm energy and encouraging words were a nice change for the usually frantic MasterChef kitchen.
