'MasterChef's Julie Goodwin hits back at marriage split rumours

Australia's first MasterChef champion Julie Goodwin has revealed that there is a "downside" to winning the show.

The 40-year-old mother-of-three from the Central Coast, who won the amateur cooking competition in 2009, said that she has had to "toughen up" to deal with recent reports that she and her husband Mick are having relationship problems.

"It was a load of crap," Goodwin told Sunday magazine. "That's probably the only downside of the whole thing, and I've learnt to take it in my stride. People who know and love me know what's true. Anyone who doesn't, I don't really have to pay attention to their opinions."

She also addressed rumours that she has struggled with her weight and considered becoming an ambassador for weight loss giant Jenny Craig, saying: "Like most girls, I had self-esteem issues that followed me into adulthood. I've tortured myself. I think any woman who's tried to look better - the diets and the extreme stuff you do - would say it's torture.

"I've only recently reached the point where I can say, 'You know what? It doesn't matter. I can fight this my whole life, but I'm still not going to have longer legs."

Goodwin also spoke about the effect that MasterChef has had on Australian viewers since its 2009 debut, saying: "You use an ingredient on the show and it sells out the next day across the country. Love it or hate it, there's no denying the impact it's made."

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