Is Paleo Pete set for a return?

MKR Manu and Pete

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) fans have spotted a potential spoiler for the upcoming episodes, taking to social media to question if former controversial judge Pete Evans is making an appearance in the 2025 season.

“Have I gone mad or did Channel 7 just air an MKR ad with Pete Evans?” one person asked on Reddit, with others confirming they also spotted the former judge.

One person even uploaded some screenshots of the brief cameo.
MKR 2025: Pete Evans appears in a promo Is Pete back on MKR? Image: Seven
“No way they are going to show Paleo Pete,” one fan said, with another rebutting, “Yes way, they definitely aired his mugshot… To the tune of Barry White’s ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe’. 7+ live stream, could be regional (Wide Bay) or even more targeted, just to mess with my head.”

What happened with Pete Evans’ MKR role and why is he so controversial?

Pete served as a judge (and co-host alongside Manu Feildel) on My Kitchen Rules from its debut in 2010 up until 2020.
MKR's Manu and Pete Manu and Pete were the original MKR judges and co-hosts. Image: Seven
In May 2020, Pete parted ways with the show and Channel Seven, after he had found himself in some previous controversies. Pete was fined $25,000 by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in April of the same year, after promoting a $15,000 BioCharger light device as a Covid-19 treatment.

He had also started vocally opposing COVID-19 vaccines, masks, and mainstream science and was being heavily criticised by the public. At the time, it was rumoured Pete was earning $800,000 a season for MKR.

Previous to leaving MKR and his stance on vaccines, Pete had already been a controversial figure within the Australian media industry. In 2014, the nickname ‘Paleo Pete’ took off when he became a high-profile champion of the paleo diet, publishing cookbooks and frequently advising people in interviews about the benefits of eliminating dairy, grains, and processed foods.

In 2015, he co-authored the cookbook Bubba Yum Yum, which included a DIY bone broth baby formula but the recipe was pulled before release due to health grounds. Pete continued to lean harder into paleo and alternative health messaging, giving him the seemingly permanent nickname of Paleo Pete.

Colin Fassnidge addresses Pete Evans

Previous to this season of MKR airing, Colin Fassnidge sat down with the Confessions of a Reality Star podcast and shed some insight into his relationship with Pete as well as if he ever thought Pete Evans could come back on MKR.

“Pete doesn’t need to do TV anymore,” Colin said. “I think Pete’s got to where everyone wants to get in life, he got there in a tough way, and he got cancelled, but whatever, I’m still friends with Pete. And I think Pete’s having a good old time on his farm up in Byron and he’s surfing and cooking. He’s not in the rat race.”

In a statement to Chattr, Channel Seven said any promo of Pete was an “error”. “I can confirm that Pete Evans is not returning to MKR and he did not appear in last night’s episode,” a representative for the show said.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.