Viewers are going wild for Melissa Leong as she starts a new gig on Dessert Masters after controversial departure from MasterChef

Melissa Leong has moved to the new Chanel Ten series Dessert Masters following her high-profile departure from MasterChef Australia.

Now a judge in the sweet series alongside famed pastry chef Amaury Guichon, the popular 41-year-old has maintained her fan base and is gaining new support.

Viewers who watched the show’s season premiere on Sunday night praised Melissa and made it clear that they still enjoy seeing her at the helm.

Many posted their positive thoughts on social media as they tuned in to the dessert-based reality show.

‘I love this show. The desserts are fantastic. Mel is a great co-host. Amaury is simply delightful,” someone wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

‘I love Mel! Channel Ten was wrong to remove her from the main show,” said another.

“GEEZ MEL IS DIVINE,” one excited person said, while another said, “Here for Mel.”

“I’m so excited for this show/season. Mel and Amaury. What a dream team!’ someone else agreed.

One fan wrote: ‘This episode went by really quickly, hehe. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s episode’.

Viewers who watched the show’s season premiere on Sunday night praised Melissa and made it clear that they’re still excited to see her at the helm

Many posted their positive thoughts on social media as they tuned in to the dessert-based reality show

It comes after the former MasterChef star insisted she has nothing but love for her co-stars on the Channel 10 cooking show, shortly after it was announced she will not be returning to the series next year.

The food critic and TV personality spoke about a feud between herself and fellow judges Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo during a candid chat with Daily Mail Australia at The Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Leong declared, shaking off the speculative stories as part of the course in the high-stakes world of reality TV.

When pressed about friction on the MasterChef set, Leong said: “I have nothing but love and respect for not only Andy, but everyone I’ve worked with.”

‘I love this show. The desserts are fantastic. Mel is a great co-host. Amaury is simply delightful,” someone wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“We’re a team, we’re a family, and that’s all you really need to know,” Melissa added.

Melissa’s excitement was palpable as she spoke about her new gig at Dessert Masters, describing working with Guichon as a “dream come true.”

The upcoming sixteenth season will see three new judges – series alum Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and food critic Sofia Levin – join returning host Andy Allen.

A network spokesperson told the Australian Financial Review that Leong’s departure was a matter of planning and that she “remains an important member of the MasterChef family.”

The food critic and TV personality revisited whispers of a feud between herself and fellow judges Andy Allen (left) and the late Jock Zonfrillo (right) during a candid chat with Daily Mail Australia at The Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

‘Next year, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters will be broadcast back-to-back. That’s why every show needs its own style and personality, and its own unique hosting team,” she added.

Despite reports that she was ‘canceling’ the show, Leong said in a social media post that her time on MasterChef Australia had been ‘truly magical’.

“The changing of the guard is one I always intended to embrace, and I’m so happy to be able to do so today, on my terms,” ​​she wrote.

‘Along with all that joy, I also want to share with you (soon) some other projects I’ve been working on behind the scenes, so watch this space!

‘My thanks to our audiences for all your support, I can’t wait for you to see the new show. Love and respect always’