Shape up or ship out! Masterchef judge Matt Preston 'ORDERED' by his wife to lose weight ahead of show's new season

He is the Masterchef judge best known for wearing his trademark cravat, and his portly frame.

But it seems Matt Preston's battle with the bulge has come to a head with his wife, Emma, putting him under 'strict orders' to lose weight ahead of the cooking show's new season.

She has reportedly banned all junk and fast foods which are high in fats and sugar, including burgers, fish and chips, pavlova and Tim Tams - which are said to be the food critic's weakness, a source told New Idea.

The healthier choice: Matt Preston's wife Emma has banned all junk and fast food in their home

The healthier choice: Matt Preston's wife Emma has banned all junk and fast food in their home

The lifestyle overhaul for the 53-year-old came after Emma saw messages of concerns from fans of the show about his weight.

'Every year when the show airs, Matt gets a lot of messages about his weight... It's not nasty remarks, but genuine concern about his health,' the source told the publication.

Part of Matt's weight loss plan is said to be replacing his late-night cravings for healthier options such as eggs on toast, which the source said is working for him.

Loving help: The lifestyle overhaul comes after she saw messages of concern from fans for her cravat wearing husband's health

Loving help: The lifestyle overhaul comes after she saw messages of concern from fans for her cravat wearing husband's health

Lifestyle overhaul: 'It's not nasty remarks, but genuine concern about his health'

Lifestyle overhaul: 'It's not nasty remarks, but genuine concern about his health'

'It's just been happening slowly but surely, and now he is determined to walk back into the studio with new confidence and surprise them all,' they said.

Matt has sported a slightly trimmer figure in a recent season but the source said that in the past the wardrobe department has had to alter his suits last minute because of weight gain.

'He would love to be able to have them pull different outfits off the rack without having to make them larger,' they said. 

Slowly but surely! The cravat wearing foodie is said to be swapping his late-night cravings with healthier options such as eggs and toast

Slowly but surely! The cravat wearing foodie is said to be swapping his late-night cravings with healthier options such as eggs and toast

Fitter outlook: In the past the wardrobe department has had to alter his suits at the last minute because of weight gain

Fitter outlook: In the past the wardrobe department has had to alter his suits at the last minute because of weight gain

Meanwhile Matt's judging counterparts on the show, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, have amped their workout regimes and shown off fitter physiques in recent seasons of the show.

Filming for season nine of the hit culinary show is already underway, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.

An air date is yet to be announced. 

New Season! Filming for season nine of the hit culinary show is already underway

New Season! Filming for season nine of the hit culinary show is already underway

For more: See this week's New Idea magazine 

For more: See this week's New Idea magazine 

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