Manu speaks out after removing Sonya and Hadil from the show: "They could've won the competition!"
My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel has spoken out about controversial contestants Sonya and Hadil, after asking them to leave the dinner table for inappropriate behaviour.
"I think they were strong competitors, yes indeed," Manu told TV WEEK.
"They knew how to cook very, very well. I wish they would have just zipped it and got on with the cooking.
"They didn't have to go that far to win the competition."
The best friends from NSW were excused from the table after an intense dinner party where they insulted sisters Emma and Jess.
"It was just poking the bear, basically, and it just wasn't nice," Manu explained.
The departure of Sonya and Hadil is the first time in MKR history that Manu and co-judge Pete Evans have sent off a team because of their behaviour.
Manu explained that they’ve never even come close to a situation like this in the past.
"It's a show I've been working on for nine years now and it's a great show to work on.
"We've always had a good time, a good laugh. A couple of fights here and there, but it's never been taken that far."
Manu said that he’s had no contact with either Sonya or Hadil since the end of the show.
"Just purely because I don't want to be involved in their story," he said.
"It's not what my purpose is on the show. I'm just there to judge the food and score the dishes and get someone to work hard until they win the prize."
Manu said he has no regrets about his decision to remove the girls.
"The only regret is I wish everyone would have acted like adults, responsible adults, and just got on with the competition. That's the only regret."