MasterChef legend reveals why he quit show in shock move – saying bosses gave him an ultimatum

A MASTERCHEF legend has revealed why he quit the show after bosses gave him an ultimatum that challenged his integrity.

The 63-year-old became a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals when the show first started back in 2009.

Michel made the decision to leave the series for good after a conflict of commercial interests was proposed by BBC bosses.

The star took to Kate Thornton's podcast to discuss the events that led him to leaving.

Kate said: "You left MasterChef because they wanted you to give up a commercial partnership that was supporting a family run business that supplied and had supplied you with potatoes for as long as you can remember at Le Gavroche, and you said no."

Michel replied: "The Bartlett family are family friends, and Ronnie Bartlett’s dad was a friend of my dad.

"Yes, there’s a little bit of money that comes my way for being one of their brand ambassadors, but it’s still family and friends.

"I certainly didn’t want to break that little bit of work that I do for them, but most importantly, that friendship.

"So I basically said to the BBC I’m not going back on this, and too bad so I’m walking off."

Michel added: "That whole sequence with the BBC was challenging my integrity and that’s why I moved on."

The star has had several TV appearances, including featuring on Hell's Kitchen and BBC Two's Food and Drink alongside Kate Goodman and he runs two restaurants, Le Gavroche and Roux - both in London.

As of last summer, his fine dining restaurant Le Gavroche had a net worth of £2.9million, according to