Matt Preston has an unlikely opinion of his ‘My Kitchen Rules’ co-star Nigella Lawson.
Speaking on Tuesday morning’s Fitzy & Wippa, the food critic opened up about what the 62-year-old British celebrity chef is really like behind the scenes of Channel Seven’s reality show.
“Nigella is like the younger sister you love but she’s a little annoying sometimes, she likes it when you get banged a little bit. That’s why I love working with her,” revealed Matt, 60. “She’s mischievous.”
Matt Preston has an unlikely opinion of his ‘My Kitchen Rules’ co-star Nigella Lawson.
“You think she’s going to be a little bit painless, a little bit bland, and then she’s actually, you know, spirited and fiery and all that stuff,” he added.
“This side of Nigella is brilliant to work with.”
Wippa, who mentioned that the radio crew recently spoke to Nigella, poked fun at the possibility that the cookbook author might be “flirting” with the co-star.
“She made it very clear to us — and I thought that you may be in danger, your relationship and your marriage — because she came out and said she loves a hairy man,” he said. “Is she flirting with you?”
“No, no, no, highly unlikely,” Matt replied.
Matt is happily married to his wife Emma Preston and they have three children together.
Monday night saw Nigella’s final episode of My Kitchen Rules, which hosted Matt Preston alongside Manu for the remainder of the season.
She replaced controversial judge Pete Evans for the first part of the series and fans said her appointment was a “massive upgrade”.
MKR fans have said Nigella is “certainly a massive upgrade over the previous judge.”
The British food writer made her first appearance as a judge on Manu Feildel at the premiere of the reboot on Sunday 7th August and was incredibly well received.
One fan called her “the crucial ingredient this show was missing.”
Other fans wrote, “Not only is she a true foodie and familiar to all of us home cooks, but it is her personable personality, positive energy, insight and unique way with words that makes her so endearing.”
‘Nigella is certainly a massive improvement over the previous judge!’
“She’s the crucial ingredient this show was missing”: Nigella Lawson replaced controversial judge Pete Evans on My Kitchen Rules
Nigella (pictured with Manu Feildel) replaced disgraced former Judge Pete Evans for this year’s season
Nigella has previously spoken about her excitement at being on the show.
“When you think about the food you love, it’s almost always home cooking,” she said.
“I’m a homemaker and it’s the food I want to eat. I’ve traveled 17,000km to find Australia’s finest home cooking.”
Other fans are predicting Nigella’s appearance on the struggling TV show will help get her back on her feet.
Nigella has previously spoken about her excitement about starring on the series: “When you think about the food you love, it’s almost always home cooking.”
“Nigella will single handedly save this show,” one viewer tweeted, while another added, “Giving #MKR another chance – I really hope love is back.” Also Nigella.”
Just days before the new season’s premiere, Manu revealed he’s still good friends with controversial chef Pete.
“We still chat once a month and every now and then,” he told The Daily Telegraph last Thursday.
“Look, things have changed for everyone. Pete is happy with his life and there is no embarrassment.’
Nigella (centre) has previously opened up about her excitement about starring on the show, saying, “I’m a homemaker and it’s the food I want to eat. I’ve traveled 17,000km to find Australia’s finest home cooking.”
Manu and Pete co-hosted My Kitchen Rules for a decade before Evans was released from his $800,000 contract in May 2020.
The pair were often the subject of rumors that they didn’t like each other, with a source revealing in 2017 that Manu thought Pete was “stranger than weird”.
Pete previously claimed COVID-19 was a “damn hoax” and that the pandemic was “not comparable to what’s happening in the world on a large scale.”
Among his false claims about the pandemic, Pete previously declared he was immune to the coronavirus and blamed the health crisis on 5G technology.
Before: Manu and Pete co-hosted My Kitchen Rules for a decade before Evans (right) was released from his $800,000 contract in May 2020
Shock: Pete (pictured) previously claimed COVID-19 was a ‘damn hoax’ and that the pandemic was ‘not comparable to what’s happening in the world on a large scale’
He also supported conspiracy theorist David Icke, a Holocaust denier who was denied entry to Australia following protests by the Jewish community.
Pete was dropped by 15 sponsors and corporations within 48 hours in November 2020.
MKR was once a ratings juggernaut for Seven, but its popularity has plummeted in recent years as viewers flocked to Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight instead.
In April, it was announced that home cooking sensation Nigella would replace Pete as a judge in a revamped new season.
My Kitchen Rules continues on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30pm on Channel Seven