Speculation is mounting that last night's eliminated MasterChef contestant Billy Law will be brought back to replace Mat Beyer, who was allegedly booted after a cheating scandal.
Beyer, a 24-year-old Victorian IT worker, was reportedly kicked off the show after he was caught using a smartphone in an episode expected to air this week.
The show's producers have remained tight-lipped, with a spokesman saying they would not be making any comment until after the episode had aired.
MasterChef fans have speculated that 34-year-old Sydney web designer Law could be returning to the MasterChef fold.
"Did anyone notice Billy didn't shake hands with any of the judges when he left last night … maybe he is coming back?" Michelle Kronberger said.
"Where is Billy's exit interview ... saw it advertised on here this morning but can not find it now on the MC [MasterChef] web site ... does this mean he is coming back?" Leonie Hewson asked.
Reports surfaced last month that Beyer was disqualified amid claims he was caught cheating by using a smartphone, a prohibited item on the reality show.
It was reported that Beyer used the phone to access recipes, but his father Michael Beyer came to his defence, saying he had been using it for personal reasons and not to cheat.
Dessert specialist Law, who was eliminated in Monday night's episode after a cook-off against Hayden Quinn and Beyer, has said he was open to making a return.
"It's a very special situation. It isn't a set-up by the producers like last year where they intentionally brought people back to cause drama. It's unusual circumstances where someone's breached the rules," he told the Daily Telegraph.
"Mat breached the rules so obviously they had to come up with a solution."
The reveal preview was run after Monday's show, and featured Matt Preston arriving at the MasterCheft house to tell the other contestants some "bad news".
But head chef of Sydney's Duke Bistro, Mitchell Orr — a guest on season two of MasterChef — said the show's producers may not bring back or Law.
"That would make sense wouldn't it [to bring back Law], but being TV they're probably going to bring someone back who was popular," Orr said.
Celebrity chef Alessandro Pavoni, who has appeared on the show, could not decide on which contestant he would like to see return to the show, but believes any comeback would bring a change of atmosphere to the group.
"I think it will be strange for them [the remaining contestants], but maybe exciting," said the owner of Sydney's Ormeggio restaurant.
"I think it is a good thing. They should be fair to everyone who has been on the show."
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