A controversial celebrity chef is making his long-awaited return to MasterChef Australia.

Channel 10 announced on Tuesday that Gordon Ramsay, 58, will be appearing as a guest judge on the new season’s Back to Win competition which is set to premiere on April 28.

The notoriously hot-tempered Ramsay will be joined in the kitchen by regular judges Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Poh Ling Yeow and Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Ramsay last appeared on the hit cooking competition in 2018.

This season sees 24 past contestants come back to win the MasterChef trophy and $250,000 in prize money.

Among the cast are MasterChef fan favourites, including season one’s Andre Ursini, Sarah Todd from 2022’s season 14 and Tim Bone from season 11.

Controversial celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is making his long awaited return to MasterChef Australia. Pictured: Gordon Ramsay in a scene from his show Kitchen Nightmares

The 58-year-old food guru with be appearing as a guest judge on the new season’s Back to Win competition which drops April 28. He last appeard on the hit cooking competition in 2018. (Gordon Ramsay is pictured with Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow and Jock Zonfrillo)

Also among the contestants is season 6 runner-up Laura Sharrad.

Andre Ursini, who made his TV debut in 2009 as a contestant on MasterChef Australia, recently announced his return to the show.

The 44-year-old chef and restaurateur posted the news on his Instagram, along with a fresh trailer for the Back To Win season.

The preview features the dramatic moment he was booted off the show in season one.

‘I got eliminated on a Sri Lankan curry taste test,’ the Adelaide-based chef says in the voice over.

Also included is new footage of a now bearded Andre working on a recipe.

‘I haven’t been in the MasterChef kitchen for about 16 years…bloody long time,’ he continues.

‘I’m back, time to start cooking again.’

This year sees 24 past contestants come back to try out for the MasterChef trophy and $250,000 in prize money including season 1’s Andre Ursini (pictured)

He also teased his hopes for the new season.

‘I’ve ticked all my food creative goals, my work goals, my life goals,’ he said.

‘But I’ve never held that [MasterChef] trophy.’

The former reality star has opened several notable eateries in South Australia, including the award-winning Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar in Adelaide, ORSO, Villetta Porcini, Lost Phoenix Farm and Willmott’s Gastronomia.

It comes after Ramsay opened four new establishments in his home base of London in February.

The TV chef expanded his culinary empire in the form of the 120-seat Lucky Cat on level 60 at 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest building in the City of London.

Additionally, he has also launched Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, the Gordon Ramsay Academy, and Lucky Cat Bar in the building.