Meghan Markle faced sharp criticism on Australian television after confirming she would return Down Under to judge Junior MasterChef, as the programme reboots after a five-year hiatus. Broadcaster Dee Dee Dunleavy was quick to point out the "real reason" for the return, following the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry moving back to the UK for good.
Criticism on live TV
On the show, host James Morrow asked: "Was work that hard to find in the UK that she has to come all the way down here to Australia to judge a kids' cooking competition?"
Dunleavy replied: "Apparently so. She's not getting a lot of love in the UK, is she, so she has to come to where she got her last sugar hit, which was here."
She added: "James, you well know I'm no great fan of Meghan Markle, but she was a ratings hit for Ten and for MasterChef; whether that audience was hate-watching or whether they were genuine fans and whether they'll stick around, that's yet to be seen."
Audience decline and concerns
Dunleavy highlighted the challenge facing Junior MasterChef, noting that over the 10 years it aired, it lost 75% of its audience. "Once you've seen kids cooking, you've seen that. They lost the bulk of their audience with that," she said.
She also expressed concern about the children on the show: "Meghan needs the exposure that can bring to her lifestyle brand, but I feel like the kids are being let down."
Dunleavy continued: "You would have to assume they're going on that show, they're looking at a career in the culinary industry, they deserve guidance and advice from someone who actually knows what they're talking about! Not somebody with no discernible skills!"
Petition and public opinion
Morrow mused: "I'd much rather see kids working with Martha Stewart. I think that'd be much more fascinating on air!"
Australians have launched a petition against Meghan's new role, which has already gathered hundreds of signatures. Vox pops carried out by Daily Express found one pensioner fuming: "I hate her. She thinks she is a chef. Somebody had paid for her to come. She just wants money. She is there only trading on royalty, which she is no longer."
Another added: "I think it's a joke. Why do we need her? We have so many Australians that could do that job. I'm not a fan of hers. I think we should get an Australian to do it."
