Former MasterChef contestant Marion Grasby addresses rumours she will return to the show as judge… after Jamie Oliver's enormous payday was revealed

Marion Grasby has addressed rumours she will be a new judge on Channel 10’s MasterChef Australia after the tragic loss of Jock Zonfrillo in April.

The celebrity chef, 40, finished ninth in the cooking show’s second season and is among the franchise’s most accomplished alumni.

Though she has released three cookbooks, launched a successful food company, and hosted multiple TV shows, Grasby has suggested she won’t be joining the judging lineup any time soon. 

The Thai-Australian cook admitted she is more comfortable pursuing digital content in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle and ‘wouldn’t be able to handle the TV pressure.’

‘I think in my world, our team is so laser-focused on making the amazing digital content that we do.’ 

‘We have 45 million eyeballs a month just on the digital content,’ she said, before praising MasterChef’s current judging team.

‘I think they do an amazing job and I’m such a massive fan of Mel [Leong], so I wouldn’t be as good for sure.’

It comes as international culinary superstar Jamie Oliver is said to have inked a $2million deal to replace Zonfrillo in the next season of the reality cooking contest.

‘I think [the judges] do an amazing job and I’m such a massive fan of Mel [Leong], so I wouldn’t be as good for sure. I’m a digital girl, I don’t think I’d be able to handle the TV pressure,’ she said

According to the report, the British born foodie has not yet agreed to replace Zonfrillo permanently.

‘Jamie has inked a deal worth around $2million,’ the source told Woman’s Day in the latest issue.

They said the contract with the best-selling cook book author includes a trip home to the U.K. for Christmas as well as an accommodation allowance for his family when they visit in January.

Jamie Oliver (pictured) has been tipped to replace Jock Zonfrillo on the next season of MasterChef Australia

‘Jamie has inked a deal worth around $2million,’ the source told Women’s Day in the latest issue. Pictured: Oliver with Andy Allen (L) Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo (R)

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Jamie first appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef during season four in 2012. 

It comes after Zonfrillo’s sudden death made headlines in April.

A devastated Oliver paid tribute to his friend and co-star on Instagram soon after the news broke.

‘I’m in total shock to wake up to the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo,’ he messaged on Instagram.

‘We had the best time working together for this years MasterChef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him!’ 

‘Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful… Melisa, Andy & Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors and each have there very own unique view and style… Jock will be so very missed…’

He added: ‘I can’t believe I’m writing this…….Sending heart felt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and his second family the master chef team and contestants xxx. Love Jamie.’

A devastated Oliver paid tribute to Zonfrillo on Instagram soon after the news broke. ‘We had the best time working together for this years MasterChef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him!’