Julie Bélanger will not return as host of 24 en 24 when the TVA culinary competition comes back for a second season in spring 2027.
Chuck Hughes, who co-hosted the first season with Bélanger, is expected to lead the next edition alone, according to the announcement confirming the program’s return.
Bélanger addressed the decision publicly on October 8, 2026, explaining why she will not return as host and that she wants to dedicate herself fully to her daily radio program, Génération J, on Rythme FM.
Table of Contents
Julie Belanger: Why Julie Bélanger is leaving 24 en 24
In comments shared through her radio program, Bélanger said she enjoyed taking part in the first edition and valued the unusual challenge of filming a culinary competition built around 24 hours of continuous activity.
She said her priority now is concentrating on one major project rather than continuing to divide her time between several demanding productions.
That decision follows a particularly busy period in her career, which included her departure from Ça finit bien la semaine after 13 seasons and her return to radio with Rythme FM.
Bélanger had previously said that leaving Ça finit bien la semaine was a carefully considered choice after she felt she had reached the end of that chapter.
Her radio commitment now occupies the weekday afternoon return-home slot, where Génération J airs Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
What happens to 24 en 24
The second season will continue with Chuck Hughes as the central on-screen figure.
The first season adapted the international format 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing for Quebec television, placing 24 cooks through a series of demanding challenges over a 24-hour period.
The original Quebec edition featured 12 episodes and was produced by Pixcom in collaboration with Québecor Contenu.
Its format was designed around speed, endurance and repeated eliminations, with contestants working through culinary challenges without the normal breaks associated with a conventional television competition.
That production model also made the show unusually demanding for its presenters.
During the first season, Bélanger described the filming as a prolonged physical and mental test, with fatigue and back pain becoming significant issues as the hours passed.
A second major television change for Bélanger
The departure from 24 en 24 marks Bélanger’s second high-profile television exit in 2026.
In April, she completed her final season of Ça finit bien la semaine, the TVA talk show she had co-hosted with Jean-Michel Anctil for 13 seasons.
Anouk Meunier later took over Bélanger’s role alongside Anctil for the program’s new season.
Bélanger’s decision to leave 24 en 24 is different in one important respect because it leaves her with an active media role rather than signalling a broader retreat from broadcasting.
Her current focus is Génération J, a radio show built around conversations, current topics and a broad mix of contributors.
The program began airing on August 17, 2026, marking Bélanger’s return to Rythme FM four years after she left the station.
When will 24 en 24 return?
TVA has confirmed that 24 en 24 is scheduled to return in spring 2027.
The broadcaster has not publicly detailed the complete hosting structure, episode count or contestant lineup for the second season in the announcement reviewed for this report.
For viewers, the main change is already clear: the chemistry between Bélanger and Hughes will not be repeated in the next edition.
Hughes will instead carry the hosting role on his own as the series moves into its second season.
Bélanger said she intends to follow the program as a viewer from home rather than return to the set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Julie Bélanger leaving 24 en 24?
She said she wants to focus her time and energy on Génération J, her weekday radio program on Rythme FM.
Will 24 en 24 return without Julie Bélanger?
Yes. TVA has confirmed that the culinary competition will return for a second season in spring 2027.
Who will host 24 en 24 after Julie Bélanger leaves?
Chuck Hughes, who co-hosted the first season with Bélanger, is expected to continue as the sole host.
What is Julie Bélanger doing now?
She hosts Génération J on Rythme FM from Monday to Thursday during the afternoon return-home period.
Did Julie Bélanger also leave Ça finit bien la semaine?
Yes. She left the TVA talk show in 2026 after 13 seasons, and Anouk Meunier later became Jean-Michel Anctil’s co-host.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against Rythme FM’s first-party interview page and current program information concerning 24 en 24 and Génération J.
Disclaimer: The second-season broadcast schedule and full contestant lineup for 24 en 24 may be updated by TVA before the spring 2027 premiere.