MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA 2024 WINNER IS 'LEAKED' BY INSIDERS AHEAD OF THE SHOW'S FINALE
Things are heating up in the MasterChef Australia kitchen as six contestants battle for a chance at winning culinary gold.
And while the finale is still weeks away, betting insiders have shared their predictions as to who will be crowned the winner for the show's 16th season.
According to betting site Sportsbet, fan favourite Nat Thaipun comes out on top as a major contender, with odds sitting at $1.33.
The second contestant falling behind is Harry Butterfield, who has odds of $7.
In third place is Josh Perry with $10 odds, followed by Mimi Wong who is currently sitting at $11.
Behind them are Savindri Perera and Darrsh Clarke, who have $13 and $19 odds respectively.
The winner will be crowned during this month's anticipated finale.
Last week, MasterChef Australia fans called out the controversial edit of a judge on this year's series.
Viewers flocked to Reddit on Friday to express their dismay that French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli didn't receive as much screen time as his co-hosts.
Joining the judging panel this year alongside Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin, Jean-Christophe, 63, has quickly become a fan favourite on the show.
But one disgruntled fan noted: 'I personally love him but I feel the contestants as well as the judges don't pay much attention to him.
'They don't really include him in the contestant discussions, don't even look in his direction while talking.
'Kinda chuckle whenever he's talking out loud, laugh embarrassingly whenever he praises or bangs the table.
'Poh gets all the attention and is part of everything. Even when he's praising the contestants, they don't take him seriously.'
The viewer went on to say Jean-Christophe is very 'sweet' and tries 'to be as helpful as possible but nobody really cares'.
Other users voiced their agreement, with many praising the restaurateur for his uplifting and positive personality on the Channel 10 cooking competition.
'He's totally our favourite judge. Total breath of fresh air,' one person said.
Another added: 'He's so insane, I love it. Banging the table, screaming with joy in the restaurant service challenge. Pinning the crab on Harry.'
The 2024 season is still ongoing, but Network 10 have already confirmed Jean-Christophe will return in 2025 alongside Andy, Poh and Sofia.
The panel of four made their debut in season 16 this year after Andy, 36, was the only judge to return to the show from last year's panel.
Melissa Leong was dropped from the series and Jock Zonfrillo tragically died in April last year, just one day before season 15 was set to air.
Andy, who joined the panel in 2020, admitted he was unsure about returning after the devastating loss of Jock but decided his friend would have wanted it.