During Channel Ten’s daytime programming on Monday, there were signs the network knew MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo had died and was scrambling to prepare a response.
Zonfrillo, 46, was found dead by police at a Melbourne hotel at 2am this morning. That day he was booked to promote MasterChef Australia’s fifteenth season on various radio and television shows including Ten’s The Project.
Commercials for the cooking show, starring Zonfrillo and fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, aired on Ten’s channels throughout the morning as scheduled – but significantly, MasterChef was not mentioned on the Studio 10 morning show, which aired at 10am.
The network and production company Endemol Shine Australia did not want to announce Zonfrillo’s death until around 2 p.m.
Under normal circumstances, Studio 10 would have heavily promoted MasterChef and aired interviews with its hosts and contestants, and the fact that it didn’t suggests the producers knew something had gone horribly wrong.
During Monday’s Channel Ten daytime programming, there were signs the network knew MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo had died and was scrambling to prepare a response. Commercials for the cooking show, starring Zonfrillo and fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, aired on Ten’s channels throughout the morning as scheduled – but significantly, MasterChef was not mentioned on the Studio 10 morning show, which aired at 10am
The show’s entertainment reporter, Angela Bishop, also wore black, suggesting she may have already known of Zonfrillo’s death before it was made public.
Zonfrillo’s other colleagues at MasterChef didn’t seem to know he’d died until just before the news broke on Monday afternoon, when the promotion machine for the new season wasn’t up and running until 11:30 a.m. when Leong set a countdown clock for the premiere her Instagram account.
Leong also did an interview with hit WA Breakfast around 8am, in which she discussed the couple’s close friendship.
Under normal circumstances, Studio 10 would have heavily promoted MasterChef and aired interviews with its hosts and contestants, and the fact that it didn’t suggests the producers knew something had gone horribly wrong. (Image LR: Studio 10 hosts Jess Eva, Tristan MacManus and Angela Bishop who, characteristically for the show, wore black)
The fifteenth season of MasterChef, guest-juror Jamie Oliver, was scheduled to premiere Monday night on Ten. The show will not air this week in light of Zonfrillo’s death.
Leong and Allen were reported to have been “devastated” and “broken” by Zonfrillo’s death.
Angela Bishop was a guest on The Project on Monday night – where Zonfrillo was set to perform before his death – and said she had heard his co-stars were struggling to come to terms with the news.
The fifteenth season of MasterChef, with guest judge Jamie Oliver (right), was scheduled to premiere Monday night on Ten. The show will not air this week in light of Zonfrillo’s death
Zonfrillo’s colleagues at MasterChef didn’t seem to know he’d died until just before the news broke on Monday afternoon, when the promotion machine for the new season wasn’t up and running until 11:30 a.m. when Leong posted a countdown clock to the premiere on Instagram posted
“It’s the loss of a family member here at ten… [He was] only 46. That’s why this is such shocking news,” Bishop said.
“As you say, they would work 16-hour days together for MasterChef. Closer work colleagues and confidants could not be found.
“They are devastated. “Broken” is the word described to me. They are trying to process this message.”
Police found Zonfrillo’s body around 2am Monday after she was called for a social check at a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne
Australia’s favorite radio show Kyle and Jackie O confirmed on Tuesday Allen was scheduled for an interview that would no longer take place.
Host Kyle Sandilands also said he believed MasterChef’s new season would never see the light of day, despite reports that it was delayed by just a week.
A Victoria Police spokesman told Chron Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body around 2am Monday after being called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton for a social check.
“With complete heartbreak and not knowing how we could possibly go through life without him, we are devastated to announce that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said
No cause of death was given, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report is prepared for the coroner.
“With utter heartbreak and not knowing how we could possibly go through life without him, we are devastated to announce that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said in a statement Monday.
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at the moment we are too overwhelmed for words.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages, and Alfie, six, and Isla, two, with Fried. (Zonfrillo, Fried and their two children are seen here in a recent family photo)
“For those who crossed his path, became his mate or were lucky enough to be his family, keep that proud Scotsman in your heart as you sip your next whiskey.”
They continued: “We beg of you to please let us mourn in private as we find a way to navigate this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend .”
British chef Jamie Oliver, who is guest judge on MasterChef this year and recently wrapped up filming with Zonfrillo, said he was “utterly shocked” by his friend’s death.
“I am in total shock waking up to the sudden death of Chef Jock Zonfrillo. We had the best time working together for this year’s MasterChef. I can’t tell you how good it was working with him,” he wrote on Instagram.
Zonfrillo is seen at left kissing his wife Lauren Fried on March 25, 2022. The couple are pictured at right at a David Jones event in Melbourne on October 12, 2022
“Jock was very generous with his time and spirit on the show and I was really grateful for that.
“Melissa, Andy and Jock work as the most inspirational judges and mentors, each with their own unique perspective and style. Jock will be missed so much.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this. Sending heartfelt love and condolences to all his family, friends and second family, the MasterChef team and the participants.”
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages, and Alfie, six, and Isla, two, with Fried.
British chef Jamie Oliver, who is guest judge on MasterChef this year and recently wrapped up filming with Zonfrillo, said he was “utterly shocked” by his friend’s death
The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur became the host of the popular Channel 10 cookery show MasterChef Australia in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
Zonfrillo, who began his career under Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White in the UK, famously overcame his heroin addiction during his teenage years in Glasgow before becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs.
In 2018, a year before he joined MasterChef, he was named Australia’s Hottest Chef by The Australian newspaper.
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The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur became the host of the popular Channel 10 cookery show MasterChef Australia in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong