Yahoo News Masterchef: The Professionals fans react to Monica Galetti's return after a year away
Galetti took an absence from the show due to family health issues
What did you miss?
Masterchef: The Professionals fans are overjoyed at the return of Monica Galetti who missed last year's version of the show due to family health issues.
Galetti revealed earlier this week that she missed the 2022 edition because her 15-year-old nephew was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Plus, the TV star needed to dedicate more time to the running of her Fitzrovia restaurant Mere which meant she would have to take a break from the kitchen she shared with Marcus Wareing and Gregg Wallace.
Speaking to Gabby Logan on The Mid Point podcast, Galetti explained how she made the decision to return to the show: "I saw a therapist. I’ve never done that before. I‘ve never had so many things happening at the same time, I needed to reach out to outside help - someone just to talk to with everything. That was one of the best things I did."
She added: "I feel more energetic, more excited to be back in it this year having had that time out."
What, how, and why?
Opening the show, Galetti is given a warm welcome back by her co-stars.
Greg Wallace told her: "Welcome back. It's the start of a brand-new competition. It's going to be a little different under the circumstances."
Galetti was equally delighted to be back and she joked there would be less trouble brewing now she was back to keep an eye on the contestants in the kitchen.
She said: "So good to see you two again. I think this way there'll be less trouble in the kitchen."
Her return to the show was warmly received by fans of the cooking programme.
Among a sea of comments, one wrote on X formerly known as Twitter: "Hurray! Monica is back!"
Another added: "After a year away, I think Monica Galetti can absolutely *cook* on Masterchef: The Professionals this season. She has the right profile to link with Marcus during skills tests and, after a spell on Amazing Hotels, she is willing to suffer during banter with Gregg. Generational."
"Monica is backkk."
"So glad Monica is back, did miss her last year but I did love Anna who did it instead."
"Never mind that drivel. It's Masterchef with Monica time!"
"Yay! Monica's back."
"Thought Anna did a decent job on Masterchef last series but I'm happy Monica is back, definitely."
"Great to see Monica back on Masterchef."
What else happened on Masterchef: The Professionals?
The first episode of the latest season saw one chef looking on the verge of tears.
Indian born Himanshu, who works for a private member's club in Mayfair, cooked a lamb dish for the judges this week.
But it did not go down well with Wallace who told him: "That is not cooked anywhere near enough for me. I would send it back, I'm afraid."
Masterchef: The Professionals continues tonight on BBC One at 8pm.
