In an unsurprising announcement, the Ten Network has confirmed its reality juggernaut, MasterChef Australia, will return for a third series next year.

Ten revealed that celebrity judges, which includes chefs George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and food critic Matt Preston, have signed-on for another serving of the hit cooking program, the Herald Sun reports.

A spokesperson from the network declined to confirm the length of the contract, but said all three judges would be back.

"MasterChef is incredibly successful and we are not surprised by rumours of rival networks sniffing around, but be assured our judges are under contract to MasterChef.

"They and the show won't be going anywhere."

The news puts doubt to speculation that the Seven Network was attempting to poach either the program or the judges, in order to relaunch its My Restaurant Rules, as previously reported in TSR.

Contestant tipped to win the year's competition, Marion Grasby, placed her support behind Ten retaining the show.

"I don't think it really matters to the punter generally whether it's on Channel Seven, Channel Ten or the ABC (but Ten was the channel that took a bet on it and I think that they deserve to keep the show that they put their faith in," she said.

Production on the current series is almost complete, with the live finale ready to air later this month. Also expected this year is spin-off, Junior MasterChef, which is set to replace Celebrity MasterChef that premiered in the final quarter last year.

Ten insiders have reportedly heard network executives planning at least another two years future for the show.

Media Spy discussion: MasterChef Australia