Episode 3 of MasterChef Australia Back to Win 2025 started on a sombre note, with Andy Allen informing the contestants that Pete Campbell had left the competition.
“Before we kick things off, I’ve got some news,” the MasterChef judge began. “Due to personal reasons, Pete is unable to continue in the competition, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Pete was a fan-favourite who came runner up on MasterChef 2021, after being beaten by Justin Narayan by just one point during the Season 13 finale.
Andy’s announcement did not include any explanation for Pete’s decision to leave the competition. However, a Channel 10 spokesperson has shared more information about the 40-year-old’s exit.
Why did Pete leave MasterChef Back to Win?
A Network 10 spokesperson told Chattr that Pete left the show due to a medical diagnosis.
“During production of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, Pete Campbell received a diagnosis that required him to step away from the competition to focus on his health,” they began.
“The MasterChef family supports Pete in his recovery and hopes to see him back doing what he loves in the kitchen very soon.”
MasterChef’s Pete reveals he has cancer
In January 2025, Pete took to Instagram to reveal that he was battling cancer.
He posted a photo of himself with a freshly shaved head, and captioned the pic: “New look for my cancer/chemo era… Hodgkins Lymphoma, you dog.”
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.
For context, MasterChef generally starts production around October the year before it airs, and Andy confirmed in an interview with Chattr that it involves “five and a half months of filming.”
That means that Pete’s announcement was posted after filming on MasterChef Australia Back to Win 2025 started.
MasterChef Australia castmates share their support for Andy
Andy took to the comments section of Pete’s post to share his support.
“Sending bulk love mate,” the MasterChef judge wrote.
Some of the Back to Win contestants also took to the post to send their well wishes.
“Oh Pete, I’m thinking of you and sending you so much love,” Rue Mupedzi wrote, while Depinder Chhibber added, “So much love for you, Pete.”
“Love yas,” Declan Cleary wrote.
Pete has been a Starlight Ambassador for years
Pete, a dad of two daughters, has been an ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation since 2021, which is an organisation that helps sick kids.
“I’m so proud to be an Ambassador and help Starlight’s mission to brighten sick kids’ lives every day,” his Ambassador profile reads.
“Starlight gives sick kids the fun and happiness they need so they can live their best lives. It’s so rewarding to see the impact of all those smiles.”
In 2023, the MasterChef runner-up joined Captain Starlight for a live-streamed Starlight Foundation event, where he whipped up cupcakes for charity and spoke about his time on the cooking show. You can watch it below.
MasterChef Australia airs on Sunday at 7pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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