MasterChef judge Melissa Leong announces separation from husband Joe Jones

MasterChef judge Melissa Leong has announced her separation from husband Joe Jones.

The 38-year old shared the heartbreaking news via her Instagram page on Sunday night.

‘It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart,’ she began.  

Over: MasterChef judge Melissa Leong announced her separation from husband Joe Jones on Sunday night [both pictured] 

‘We ask for your kindness and consideration for our privacy, we will not be making any further comment as our private lives have, and will always remain exactly that.⁣⁣   

‘We wish you peace at the end of such a challenging year for all.’ 

In June, Melissa revealed she married the tattooed bar owner hunk after dating for only five months because ‘when you know, you know’.

‘I first met him briefly at his bar in Melbourne, Romeo Lane,’ Melissa told TV Week. 

The 38-year old shared the heartbreaking news via her Instagram page on Sunday night. ‘It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart,’ she began 

Happier times: In June, Melissa revealed she married the tattooed bar owner hunk after dating for only five months because ‘when you know, you know’

‘Then we met again properly about 18 months later at a function. We started talking there and we’ve just not ever ceased since really. It’s pretty cool.’

The pair dated for just three months when they decided to get engaged. They then eloped after she filmed SBS’s The Chef’s Line, just two months later. 

‘When that wrapped, we went to Joshua Tree in California and eloped. It was all very fun,’ the foodie-turned-TV judge said. 

Memories: ‘I first met him briefly at his bar in Melbourne, Romeo Lane,’ Melissa told TV Week 

Joe proved to be a hit with MasterChef: Back to Win viewers, when he featured on the show in April.

Following the episode, Melissa shared a sweet tribute to her husband to Instagram, thanking him for appearing alongside her on the show.

‘Shout outs to my awfully hot husband for being a legend and agreeing to be on MasterChef with me,’ she wrote.

‘Not only is he a classically French trained chef with a specialist focus in pastry, and one of the best things to ever happen to me,’ Melissa added. 

Two peas in a pod: Joe proved to be a hit with MasterChef: Back to Win viewers, when he featured on the show in April