Dear MKR, with the growing bullying epidemic in Australia and teen suicide rates rising – why are you even promoting this?

One in 4 school kids are being bullied every day, so WHY is this being shoved in their face?

My Kitchen Rules judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans have spoken for the first time since reportedly being forced to kick contestants Sonya and Hadil off the show.

In a piece to camera, the pair appeared sombre, explaining they’ve ‘never had to deal with anything like this’ over the shows eight-year run, reports Daily Mail.

‘After continued warnings and an unprecedented attack on other teams, we had to act,’ Manu said in footage shared on Wednesday.

Although it has not yet taken place on the show, Sonya and Hadil are widely expected to be the team who will be kicked out.

‘We would like to take a moment to talk about the events that led to one team being removed from my kitchen rules,’ Manu began.

‘Over the history of the show, we’ve never had to deal with anything like this, the removal of a team from the competition,’ Pete added.

Footage of Sonya and Hadil calling ‘botox sisters’ Jess and Emma ‘Bubba Gump’ and threatening to ‘come for them’ was then aired.

When the video cut back to Manu, he explained that the show had no choice but to remove one team from the competition.

We think it is important to note that the video is being used as promotion for My Kitchen Rules. Obviously scenes are edited, cut and pasted to create controversy.

Poor Kim and Suong are even told to wait before they can serve their guests a meal due to the fighting going on in the dining room.

Channel Seven released the video on the show’s website, (watch it HERE) and are promising the ‘MKR Scandal begins Sunday at 7pm.’

Despite reports  Sonya and Hadil will be the team to get booted, the network is still yet to confirm these claims.

Comments on the promotion are certainly getting feisty.

– One person wrote, “What a bunch of hypocrites- they say the behaviour is unacceptable and then proceed to use it to market the show on ads. This show stopped being a cooking show a long time ago- more like the Housewives of Melbourne!

– Another said ” it amazes me how some people in reality shows don’t consider or care about how their reputations will look after their shows have ended. if once respected and successful in their careers, they’ll possibly just be known for being ‘that’ horrible person from ‘that’ reality show…”

– Another commented as parents both Pete and Manu should be ashamed, “I used to love MKR, but every year its now getting away from food and becoming school yard bullying.. what type of example are you setting MKR. It’s all about ratings, but yet we try to teach kids not to be bully’s, and that is all we are seeing on your adds and when I’m changing channels that’s all I see on your show now.. very sad, you should lead my example or is the show that boring that it can’t hold its own.. Pete and Manu, u both have children get real please.”

– “OMG…Pete and Manu how could you align yourself with this crap….”

– Another said, ” We try to educate our children on bullying, this is an absolutely disgraceful series. How Pete n Manu can sit there n not react is appalling. producer of this series should be soooo ashamed of themselves scripted or not. ”

– “I’m actually so sick of the bullying this show allows. Last year they allowed it and now this year. It’s bloody ridiculous. ”

– “MKR have stooped to a new low with this crap……kids see these ads on TV. MKR are obviously okay with bullying behaviour.”

Stats on bullying in Australia

• Roughly 1 in 4 students (27%) have reported being bullied, from elementary to high school. This is lower than the 38% reported in 2006
• Hurtful teasing was reported as the most common bullying behavior, closely followed by lies.
• Bullying was more common for Year 5 students (32%) and Year 8 (29%).
• Bullying by females tended to be more covert, while males were more “in your face” about it.
• Peers are present in 87% of bullying interactions, mostly as onlookers who do nothing to help the victim.
• Racial bullying against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has actually improved compared to the 31% rate reported in 2005. Three years later the figure was down to 10%.
• While there is improvement in some of these figures, it is clear that a lot remains to be done to control bullying in Australia.

Cyber Bullying Statistics in Australia

• Over 80% of those who bullied others online would also do so offline.
• 84% of those who were bullied online were also victims of bullying behavior offline.
• A quarter of all cyber-bullies target people they do not even know.
• 64% of females from Years 6 to 12 reported being cyber-bullied.
• High cellphone usage makes cyber-bullying easier.

So MKR please, for the sake of our children, don’t ever produce another series like this. There has to be better ways to get ratings, surely?!

*Readers suffering from any form of bullying in need of support and information can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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