Matt Tebbutt has said he was "only ever doing one series" of MasterChef: The Professionals, after reports suggested he had been "axed" from the show.
In a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday morning, the popular chef and television presenter confirmed that he will not be returning to the series as a judge alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti.
He said: "A lot of lovely people have contacted me about not doing the next series of MasterChef: The Professionals. I was only ever doing one series and I loved judging on it, and will continue working with MasterChef."
However, The Sun reported that bosses behind the scandal-hit BBC show believed the programme could continue with its long-standing judges, Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, at the helm.
It was announced in September that Matt would be stepping in to replace Gregg Wallace as a judge on the new series of MasterChef: The Professionals. Matt, 52, is best known for hosting BBC One's Saturday Kitchen.
© BBCHis appointment came shortly after Greg was sacked following a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the amateur series, MasterChef.
Greg, who also co-presented its spin-offs Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, issued an apology saying he was "deeply sorry for any distress caused" and that he "never set out to harm or humiliate" in the wake of an investigation which upheld 45 out of 83 allegations against him.
Speaking ahead of the latest series, Matt said it was "an absolute honour" to be working alongside Wareing and Galetti, who he described as "titans of the food world".
© BBCHe added: "Their knowledge and uncompromising attitude is now the stuff of legend and I look forward to them taking me under their wing, and seeing the chefs get off to a flying start in the competition."
