Claims MasterChef Australia will NOT replace Jock Zonfrillo after his sudden death for the 2024 season of the cooking show
The sudden death of Jock Zonfrillo on April 30 left a huge void on MasterChef’s jury, and some say that void cannot be filled.
Channel Ten has been reticent about the judging panel, having already received tenders for contestants for next year’s cook-off season.
However, rumors were circulating that celebrity chefs Melissa Leong and Andy Allen would be continuing without a permanent third, the Herald Sun reported on Saturday.
According to the publications, the cooking duo could instead go into next season with a rotating roster of guest judges.
While filming dates for season 16 have yet to be finalized, Channel Ten has asked aspiring chefs to submit their applications before August 16th.
The sudden death of Jock Zonfrillo, 46, (pictured) on April 30 left a huge void on MasterChef’s jury, and some say that void cannot be filled
Meanwhile, others have hinted that Melissa, 41, and Andy, 35, may be planning to leave MasterChef as they continue to grapple with the tragic death of their co-star.
Some fans are convinced the entire hosting panel may be replaced entirely after Channel 10 declined to confirm Jock’s replacement in the latest casting call.
“Has anyone ever thought, ‘What if Mel and Andy decided not to serve as judges for the next season?'” a Facebook user wrote on a recent MasterChef fan page.
Channel Ten has been reticent about the judging panel, having already received tenders for contestants for next year’s cook-off season. Jock is pictured with fellow MasterChef judges Melissa Leong, 41, (left) and Andy Allen, 35, (right).
“That crossed my mind too,” wrote another user.
Jock died in Melbourne on the scheduled premiere date of the latest MasterChef series, which was delayed by a week after his death.
The 46-year-old Scottish-born chef was found dead in his Carlton hotel room on May 1.
Police found his body after she was called to his room for a welfare check.
However, rumors were circulating that celebrity chefs Melissa Leong and Andy Allen would be continuing without a permanent third, the Herald Sun reported on Saturday