MasterChef fans praise Poh Ling Yeow after surprise return: 'Delightful'

MasterChef fans were left shocked during Monday night’s episode when fan favourite contestant Poh Ling Yeow made a surprise return to the kitchen.

The celebrity chef, who competed on season 1, All-Stars and season 12, came back to the show to give the season 15 contestants their very first Mystery Box.

Judge Melissa Leong announced at the beginning of the episode that some of the show's most successful past contestants would be making an appearance every day this week "to implant a little bit of their wisdom".

First up was Poh, who stunned this year’s home cooks when she walked through the doors wearing a long-sleeved floral dress with ruffles.

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The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star stood next to the judges and offered her “secrets to success” for the new contestants.

“I think the thing that is most important is to really soak up every minute you have in this kitchen,” she shared. “You will never have an opportunity to be away from all the distractions of life and be able to entirely focus on food like you are right now.

“I think if you tap into something that is totally authentic, it’s there forever. It’s not external, it’s internal. And if something doesn’t go right, you have to be ready to just shift gear, and I think that’s one of the secrets for sure.”

She then revealed that the competitors would have to create a dish in 70 minutes using only the under-bench staples in their Mystery Box, as well as two extra ingredients from the pantry.

'What a delight'

Viewers took to social media throughout the episode to praise Poh’s return, with one person calling her “divine”.

“I could watch Poh on my TV every night. What a delight she is,” another added, while a third wrote, “I just love Poh so much. She should be in every episode”.

“Poh looks delightful tonight! So glad she’s back on my telly,” someone else said, followed by a different user who agreed, “It was great to have Poh back on our screens”.

Meanwhile, plenty of people shared their hope that Poh becomes a permanent fixture on the cooking show.

“Poh would be a great judge,” one fan tweeted, with another writing, “I really wish Poh was a judge too”.

“Love Poh as a judge. Handing out hot tips left right and centre,” one viewer replied, while another said, “Poh would be more than worthy enough to be the third permanent judge on any future series of MasterChef. She's great”.

“Who else would watch Mel & Poh on their own show? Love them both!” one viewer shared.

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