Channel Ten has released a new trailer for MasterChef just hours before the new season premieres on Sunday.
The network shared the trailer on Instagram with judges three, Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo.
Jock, whose tragic death last week left Australia and its global fanbase in shock, was spotted laughing and smiling along with his co-stars as the song ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ was played over the footage.
The show’s 15th season was due to start on May 1 but was postponed after the Scottish chef was found dead by police at a Melbourne hotel at 2am last Monday.
Channel Ten confirmed it would be rescheduling the show and announced on Wednesday it would air the series from Sunday with the support of Jock’s family.
Channel Ten released a new trailer for MasterChef starring Jock Zonfrillo on Sunday, just hours before the new season premiered
“With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, MasterChef Australia will air Sunday 7 May at 7.30pm,” read a Channel 10 statement shared to Instagram on Wednesday.
“It is with Jock in our hearts that we cherish this season and remember the charismatic and generous judge and chef we knew and loved,” it continued.
‘Jock will be remembered in the MasterChef Australia kitchen for years to come.’
The network added that a special edition of The Sunday Project will pay tribute to Jock on Sunday from 6.30pm before the new series airs.
“With contributions from friends he captured, the show will honor Jock by reflecting on his personal and professional life and celebrating his incredible achievements,” the statement continued.
Production on the 62-episode season wrapped up last month at MasterChef’s headquarters in Flemington, Melbourne.
Jock, whose tragic death last week left Australia and its global fanbase in shock, was spotted laughing and smiling along with his co-stars as the song ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ played over the footage
The new season has reportedly cost “millions” to produce, and producers are now looking to add a special “tribute” episode for Zonfrillo before confirming his replacement.
The chef died aged 46, leaving behind his third wife, Lauren Fried, and their four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages, as well as six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Insel, with Fried.
A Victoria Police spokesman told Chron Australia: “Police visited an address on Lygon Street for a welfare check and found a man who had died around 2am on May 1st.
“The death of the 46-year-old man is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be drawn up for the coroner.”
Zonfrillo filmed season 15 alongside fellow judges Leong and Allen, both of whom withdrew from their scheduled media interviews following his sudden death.
Allen and Leong were invited to several television and radio appearances last week to promote the launch of the culinary competition.
The show’s 15th season was due to start on May 1 but was postponed after the Scottish chef was found dead by police at a Melbourne hotel at 2am last Monday
Channel Ten confirmed it would be rescheduling the show and announced on Wednesday it would air the series from Sunday with the support of Jock’s family
The publicity blitz had already begun Monday morning, in the hours before network and production company Endemol Shine learned of Zonfrillo’s death.
Channel 10 entertainment reporter 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.
“It’s a loss of a family member here at 10… [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.”
Zonfrillo’s MasterChef colleagues didn’t seem to know he was dying 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 on her Instagram account. Clock posted for the premiere.
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Zonfrillo’s MasterChef colleagues didn’t seem to know he was dying until just before the news broke Monday afternoon