Melissa Leong will host a new documentary series on SBS about Australia’s healthcare system.
The 42-year-old TV star, who will not return to MasterChef next season, is expected to host the docuseries The Hospital: In The Deep End.
Melissa will headline the show alongside Samuel Johnson and Costa Georgiadis, The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday.
“I think last week there was a big question mark about why.” [Leong exited MasterChef]“And the next shoe is coming this week,” she said.
In the show, the trio spends time with healthcare professionals at St Vincent’s Hospital to better understand the health challenges facing Australia.
Melissa Leong has revealed her shocking new TV project following her sudden exit from MasterChef
Melissa will host the SBS documentary The Hospital: In The Deep End alongside Samuel Johnson and Costa Georgiadis. Everything pictured
“This is such a joyful moment in my career and I’m so excited to finally be able to tell people about it,” Melissa said of her next step.
The journalist and food critic went on to describe the show as “full of heart” and “incredible people” committed to saving lives.
“I am able to expand and give myself the opportunity to show Australia who else I can be and the other facets of what excites me,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, Melissa will continue to appear on Channel 10’s upcoming MasterChef: Dessert Masters alongside Amaury Guichon.
Leong broke her silence after her late co-star Jock Zonfrillo’s widow, Lauren Fried, sparked rumors of a behind-the-scenes feud.
Fried raised eyebrows last week after she conspicuously failed to mention Leong in a post reacting to the new MasterChef Australia line-up.
Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren Fried (both pictured) raised eyebrows after she conspicuously failed to mention Leong in a post responding to the new MasterChef Australia line-up
She also appeared to attack Leong again, saying that the new judges “respect the privilege of being part of an extraordinary show.”
Speaking to the media on Friday, Leong defended her strong personality and insisted she will not stop being “unapologetic” herself.
“I like to be direct. “I like to be so real about everything I pursue that it comes from the heart,” she told the Herald Sun.
“We’re all human, people are complex and it’s allowed to have days off.” For me it’s about being authentic and that resonates with people.”
Leong defended her strong personality and insisted she won’t stop “completely apologizing” herself. Pictured
The upcoming sixteenth season of MasterChef Australia will feature three new judges – series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin – alongside returning host Andy Allen.
This comes after Jock’s widow Fried shared on Instagram that Zonfrillo was “very happy” with the new cast of MasterChef Australia.
Her remark sparked speculation that Jock, who died of natural causes on April 30 aged 46, was not getting along with Leong behind the scenes.
Leong, who appeared as a judge on the reality hit for four years, claims she left the show “on her own terms”. Pictured: Leong with the late Jock Zonfrilo (l) and Andy Allen (r)