Video taking off 13x its usual first day

Meghan Markle's reported Junior MasterChef role prompts a local-chef debate

News24's Samara Gill and Hilary Fordwich discuss petitions opposing the reported appearance, with Gill arguing the platform should go to an Australian chef.

Channel:

News24 Story of November 1, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 97,973 views a day, 13 times a normal first day on this channel (7,793).

Australia rejects Meghan Markle in petition demanding her removal from Junior MasterChef

Things we can learn from the video

Press to jump

0:00Gill introduces Markle's reported Junior MasterChef involvement and online petitions calling for her removal.
0:27Fordwich links opposition to Markle with her criticism of Markle's public image.
1:27Gill argues that an Australian chef should receive the programme's platform instead.
3:01Gill raises reports of a taxpayer-funded security request; Fordwich argues against public funding for private security.

"An Australian chef should receive that platform," Samara Gill says, putting a casting question at the centre of News24's discussion of Meghan Markle's reported involvement with Junior MasterChef Australia.

The commentary segment has drawn about 90,000 views in twenty hours, well beyond the channel's usual first-day audience for regular videos. It is a discussion of the reported casting and opposition to it, rather than an announcement from the programme.

Gill opens with circulating online petitions calling for Markle to be dropped. Guest Hilary Fordwich, introduced as a commentator and royal expert, connects that opposition to her broader criticism of Markle's public image. Gill's more specific objection is about the opportunity itself: why bring in Markle rather than give an Australian chef the television platform?

Junior MasterChef Australia is the children's spin-off of MasterChef Australia, making the choice of an on-screen guide a different proposition from casting an ordinary celebrity guest.

Among the viewer responses, one offers a concrete alternative: give the role to a former Junior MasterChef winner who has continued working in food. That suggestion takes the discussion back to the programme's own kitchen.

Published on Trari