Celebrity chef and health nut Pete Evans has parted ways with Seven and his $800,000 contract on flailing cooking show My Kitchen Rules.
The news, as first reported on TV Blackbox, follows Evans’ company two weeks ago copping $25,000 in fines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration on complaints about the promotion of a “BioCharger” device that occurred during a Facebook live stream on April 9.
Evans claimed the device – which he was selling for $15,000 – could be used in relation to “Wuhan Coronavirus”.
His website also claimed the BioCharger was “proven to restore strength, stamina, coordination and mental clarity” if you sat in front of it for a certain amount of time.
However, the TGA fine reportedly has nothing to do with the split, with the separation an “amicable” decision while Evans continues to focus on building his lifestyle and health business.
A Seven spokesperson confirmed to B&T the split and said there has been no announcement in regards to the future of MKR, with programming plans being announced later in the year.
MKR used to be a ratings hit for Seven, but has gone downhill over the last several seasons. And, at a time where Seven is attempting to whittle down its debt pile, poor ratings for the 11th season of MKR, which reportedly attracted half the viewers Seven promised advertisers, the move to axe Evans’ comes with little shock.
