My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge joins the cast of Better Homes and Gardens replacing chef ‘Fast Ed’ Halmagyi

Beloved TV chef Colin Fassnidge has joined the cast of Better Homes and Gardens for 2024.

The My Kitchen Rules judge replaces outgoing chef and ‘Fast Ed’ presenter Halmagyi, who left the Channel Seven lifestyle program in 2023 after 20 years.

‘Working on Better Homes and Gardens really feels like coming home. “I have been friends with Johanna since I started at Channel 7, and the rest of the cast and I get along great,” Fassnidge said in a statement on Sunday.

“I can’t wait to hit the road and travel this beautiful country, cooking with the best and freshest produce in the world,” he said.

The Dublin-born presenter promised to bring his ‘passion, humor and cheeky Irish flair’ to the series, as he shows viewers how to create ‘simple, quick and affordable recipes that anyone can make and enjoy at home’.

Speaking to 7LIFE, Fassnidge admitted that filling Fast Ed’s shoes would be a challenge.

‘It’s a bit scary, but it’s a good challenge and a lot of fun too. This show means a lot to a lot of people,” he said.

Fassnidge also revealed that he has known Better Homes And Gardens host Johanna Griggs for a while, having met her on his very first season of My Kitchen Rules in 2013.

“She came over to my house and did a little cooking part there,” he said, adding that the pair catch up “all the time.”

“I know most of the cast members, we run into each other at the traps all the time. So it’s not like I came in out of nowhere, 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 returns to screens on February 2 at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.