Australian 'Junior MasterChef' ratings slump to all-time low

The ratings for the Australian version of Junior MasterChef have dropped to an all-time low.

The children's reality cooking show, which launched last year to ratings of 2.2 million, was watched on Monday night by 741,000 Australian viewers, making it only the 13th most watched programme of the night.

According to AAP, 1.129 million viewers tuned in to the first episode of this season of Junior MasterChef three weeks ago, almost half the amount of last year's corresponding instalment. It has only been averaging at 800,000 viewers since.

Last night's ratings was won by The Big Bang Theory with 1.523 million viewers, followed by The X Factor's live show, which later led to the elimination of Young Men's Society.

Junior MasterChef judge George Calombaris recently revealed that he is aware that the show's popularity may not last much longer, saying: "This can't go on forever; when it's over I will go back to being a chef. This has been an amazing experience."

He also revealed that he is not interested in having Gordon Ramsay as a guest chef on his show because he uses "bullying" tactics on contestants.

Calombaris added: "I would have to take him outside. I don't believe it's necessary to belittle and attack a person. That's not what our show is about. When I signed on to do this I made it clear that I would not do that sort of thing."

Junior MasterChef Australia airs on Monday nights at 7.30pm on Channel Ten.

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