“He looks completely different now!” — Fans stunned as Jean-Christophe Novelli debuts a SH0CK new look on the season premiere of MasterChef Australia, as viewers exclɑimed: “Couldn’t recognise him…”
Jean-Christophe Novelli has ditched the black hair dye and debuted his grey locks.
The MasterChef Australia judge showed off his silver hairdo and spectacles on Sunday’s premiere episode of the 2026 season.
The 65-year-old French chef came back from the break tanned and natural, with his fellow judge Poh Ling Yeow telling Novelli that he looked ‘hot’ and teased that he must have had a very relaxing holiday.
And fans tuning in at home agreed, with many posting their thoughts on X.
‘Jean-Christophe in his silver FOX era… That’s it, that’s the tweet,’ wrote one viewer on the social media platform.
Another said: ‘Liking the silver fox hair that JC is sporting this year,’ while one more chimed in, ‘I didn’t recognise JC. He looks different.’
Jean-Christophe Novelli has ditched the black hair dye and debuted his grey locks. Pictured before the makeover
The MasterChef Australia judge showed off his silver hairdo and spectacles on Sunday’s premiere episode of the 2026 season
‘Jean-Christophe’s gone silver fox!’ someone else commented, while another asked, ‘Did he get a fright or just stop dyeing his hair?’
It comes after thrilling news that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is making a guest appearance on the new season.
Meghan was said to have pocketed up to $380,000 for her top-secret appearance on MasterChef Australia – but the truth is even more astounding.
Daily Mail revealed that Meghan was not paid a cent, and didn’t even promote her As Ever food and lifestyle range, featuring flower sprinkles, fruit preserves and wine.
The 44-year-old quietly visited the set of the reality TV cooking series on Wednesday to film her show-stopping segment at Melbourne Showgrounds.
It is understood she was on set for the entire day of filming, with Network 10 later confirming she would be a guest judge in an episode of the new season.
Some TV industry analysts initially suggested she could have been paid up to US$250,000 (AU$380,000) to appear on the show.
Former TV executive Rob McKnight dismissed the six-figure fee, but revealed the Duchess could easily have demanded between $10,000 to $50,000.
The 65-year-old French chef came back from the break tanned and natural, with his fellow judge Poh Ling Yeow telling Novelli that he looked ‘hot’
Fans tuning in at home agreed, with many posting their thoughts on X. The judges are pictured before the new look
‘Jean-Christophe in his silver FOX era… That’s it, that’s the tweet,’ wrote one viewer. The judges are pictured on the new season
Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Inside ‘brilliant’ deal to secure Meghan’s MasterChef cameo as she follows in King’s footsteps
‘I think it is a brilliant PR move by Network 10, which is probably worth the least amount of money of the major networks,’ he said of the publicity coup.
‘It has shown Ten is the little engine that could.’
‘Having Meghan in the MasterChef kitchen with us was such a treat,’ MasterChef Australia judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli told Daily Mail in a statement.
‘She was a complete delight and was right at home. Introducing her to the contestants was like the best kind of surprise party – jaws were on the floor!
‘The Duchess put us all at ease very quickly, learning about our home cooks through their food, and happily sharing her passion and knowledge for produce, cooking and entertaining with us all. We’d have her back in a heartbeat.’
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-15746149/MasterChef-Australia-Jean-Christophe-Novelli.html