A popular Channel Seven program is undergoing another talent shake-up weeks after a famous star was replaced on the show.
Better Homes and Gardens star Karen Martini announced she is stepping back from her role on the lifestyle program after almost two decades to focus on her family and her new restaurants.
The 52-year-old chef and restaurateur will continue to make guest appearances on the show, just not every episode.
‘With my two new restaurants— Johnny’s Green Room already open and Saint George set to launch soon — as well as so many other projects on the go, 2024 is shaping up to be my busiest year ever,’ Martini told 7News.
‘I’ve just come back from the Great Australian Culinary Voyage where I curated some beautiful bespoke menus and have some more exciting ventures to come soon.’
Better Homes and Gardens star Karen Martini announced she is stepping back from her role on the lifestyle program after almost two decades to focus on her family, as well as her new restaurants
Martini added her daughters, Stella, 17, and Amber, 15, ‘are in their last teenage years too’.
‘With so much on my plate, I’ve made the decision to step back from Better Homes and Gardens (BHAG) this year while I focus on some of my other exciting projects,’ she continued.
‘So don’t be alarmed if I’m not in your living room every Friday night.’
According to previous reports, Martini enjoyed an eye-watering salary of $300,000. It is unclear what she’ll be earning with her scaled-back role.
Martini joined Better Homes and Gardens in 2007 and brought her relaxed cooking style to viewers.
The 52-year-old chef and restaurateur will continue to make guest appearances on the show, just not every episode
The announcement comes after a massive talent shake-up for the program
The shock announcement comes off the back of Colin Fassnidge joining the cast of Better Homes and Gardens for 2024.
Fassnidge is replacing outgoing chef and presenter ‘Fast Ed’ Halmagyi, who departed the Channel Seven lifestyle program after 20 years in 2023.
Martini told 7News that she’s ‘excited’ for the beloved My Kitchen Rules star to be joining the team this year.
‘I think his cheeky flavour is sure to spice up the show and I can’t wait to see him on air when we are back on Friday, February 2,’ she said.
The Dublin-born presenter promised to bring his ‘passion, humour and cheeky Irish flair’ to the series as he shows viewers how to create ‘simple, quick and affordable recipes that everyone can make and enjoy at home’.
Beloved TV chef Colin Fassnidge (right) has joined the cast of Better Homes and Gardens for 2024. (Pictured with host Johanna Griggs)
‘Working on Better Homes and Gardens really feels like coming home. I’ve been friends with Johanna ever since I started at Channel 7, and the rest of the cast and I get on like a house on fire,’ Fassnidge said in a statement earlier this month.
‘I can’t wait to get out on the road and travel around this beautiful country, cooking with some of the best and freshest produce in the world.’
Speaking to 7LIFE, Fassnidge admitted that filling Fast Ed’s shoes would be a challenge.
‘It’s a little bit scary, but it’s a good challenge and a lot of fun as well. This show means a lot of things to a lot of people,’ he said.
The My Kitchen Rules judge will replace outgoing chef and presenter ‘Fast Ed’ Halmagyi (pictured), who departed the Channel Seven lifestyle program after 20 years in 2023
Fassnidge also revealed he has known Better Homes And Gardens host Johanna Griggs for some time, having met her on his first ever season of My Kitchen Rules in 2013.
‘She came around to my house and did a little cooking segment there,’ he said, adding that the pair catch up ‘all the time’.
‘I know most of the cast members, we run into each other around the traps all the time. So it’s not like I’m coming in out of the blue — but still, [the cast] were very welcoming.’
Fassnidge will continue to co-host My Kitchen Rules with Manu Feildel in 2024.
Better Homes and Gardens will return to screens 7pm February 2 on Channel 7 and 7plus.
