Updated: 'MasterChef' star 'axed over cheating claims'

Mat Beyer has been axed from MasterChef, reports have suggested.

The 24-year-old IT support technician, who made it to the final 17 contestants on the Australian version of the reality television show, was reportedly kicked out amid fears that he has been accessing recipes secretly after smuggling a smartphone into the Sydney house.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Beyer's breach of the programme's rules was discovered when contestant's cookbooks were all taken away during a challenge. He had apparently had the phone for six weeks.

Channel Ten has refused to comment on the reports, while a spokesperson for production company Shine Australia said that the rumours were unproven.

A statement on the show's official Facebook page read: "Hey everyone, as most of you have probably heard this morning, there has been numerous news stories about what is happening on MasterChef.

"As you all know, twists and turns are all part of the show and this may or may not be one of them - stay tuned over the coming weeks to find out."

It is believed that another eliminated contestant has been brought back to replace Beyer.

Last year, MasterChef contestant Chris Badenoch was also accused of cheating on the show. His ex-girlfriend Gemma Pritchard, who broke up with Badenoch after the show after discovering he was dating at least two other women, claimed that he broke the rules of the competition by using a mobile phone to get her to order meat for him from a supermarket and therefore giving him an unfair advantage. He denied the reports.

Rachel McSweeney left the show earlier this week after failing to impress judges with her version of a Heston Blumenthal burger and chips. The previous week, Arena Dunn was eliminated.