- The first 17 minutes of MasterChef Australia were available on 10 Play on Tuesday
Final footage of British celebrity chef Jock Zonfrilo on the unreleased season of MasterChef Australia has appeared online despite Channel 10’s pledge to hold it back in the wake of his death.
The first 17 minutes of MasterChef Australia was available on 10 Play on Tuesday afternoon, with an extended video introducing the season’s new contestants and showing Jock welcoming the eager chefs to the show.
The 46-year-old star chef was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room at 2am on Monday, just hours before he began his promotional duties for the show.
In the erroneously released clip from the show, the Scotsman — dressed in a baby blue bodysuit — recounts the journey of chef Brent Draper, who prematurely quit the 2021 season.
Brent left the show to take care of his mental health, a decision Jock applauded at the time, telling the struggling chef how proud he was of him.
Draper returned for the 2023 season, with his introduction to Jock as the surprise final contestant.
‘That’s yours, I think you left it here,’ Jock said to Brent, giving him an apron and laughing with joy.
“First thing for you, let’s get him out of the way, how do you feel?” Jock then asks him out, before Brent explains that he’s back and he’s ready to win.
The judges, including Melissa Leung and Andy Allen, introduced the season’s guest, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, to cheers and applause from the jubilant contestants.
From a very early age, you’ve really dedicated your life to the product, to the production, but you’ve also championed home cooking, which is what MasterChef Australia is all about. What does cooking at home mean to you now, 25 years later? Jock asked.
Jimmy explained that the food was “really potent” and could take us back to “nonnas cooking for us” as kids.
Jimmy replied, “Whether you do it at home or do it as a profession, it’s a beautiful thing.”
The contestants were then challenged to cook a dish that they usually make at home if they want to impress their guests.
Shortly after Daily Mail Australia contacted Channel 10 about the availability of a preview, it was removed from the 10 Play website.
Channel Ten sources say this follows news that the immediate future of MasterChef Australia will ultimately be decided by Zonfrillo’s wife.
The 46-year-old star chef was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room at 2am on Monday, just hours before he began his promotional duties for the show.
Filming for Season 15 of MasterChef ended several weeks ago, and the show was set to release Monday night following the success of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Conclusion.
The series is now in limbo as the heads of networks and sponsors – including key stakeholders Coles – ponder whether and how to proceed in light of Zonfrillo’s death just hours before the show’s premiere episode.
Ten has already announced that MasterChef won’t be airing until at least Monday, May 8th.
However, sources close to the production say a number of options are being considered, one of which is a bid — arguably the annual Ten Axis with a $30 million production price — or even an indefinite delay.
It is understood that the call will be with the Zonfrillo family, specifically his wife, Lauren Fried, with major network and show sponsors determined to respect the direction they choose.
“It will really come down to Jock’s family and what they feel he wants,” an insider told Daily Mail Australia.
Commercially and timing-wise, this is a disaster. It is simply diabolical.
But even a major TV network wouldn’t be dire enough to put anything other than the jock family’s wishes first and foremost.
In the end, it would be about whether or not they thought he wanted the show to go on, and if it’s early, then it’s too early. No matter what decision is made, there will be a contingency plan.
The main possibility is that Ten chooses to keep the current season until 2024 and broadcast a replacement in its place.
However, network sources say that nothing else can compare to MasterChef, in terms of quality product, that will be available for display.
“MasterChef is a tentpole fig. In terms of cost, he himself is Married at First Sight to Nine or a farmer who wants a wife to seven.
“It’s by far Ten’s biggest investment, so there’s nothing else that can take its place.”
MasterChef is also unique in its reliance on corporate sponsorships, with a number of major brands investing heavily in the show.
Coles, for example, accounts for about $6 million of the show’s production budget.
Harvey Norman, Somat, Bulla, L’Or Espresso, Primo Small Goods and HCF Australia are other big names that advertise heavily.
“The network is in a bad position. This is a devastatingly unique situation, and it must be unthinkable for all involved to navigate,” says one of the sources.
It’s also understood that a tribute to Zonfrillo is in production, with plans to air in the coming days, but a Ten spokesperson declined to elaborate.
Zonfrilo’s sudden death is not being treated as suspicious by Melbourne Police, as the Scottish-born father of four was found alone and unresponsive in a hotel in Lygon Street, Carlton.
“With absolutely broken hearts and without knowing how we can navigate life without him, we are shocked to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said in a statement.
It can be described with many words, many stories can be told, but at this time we are too overwhelmed to describe it in words.
“For those who crossed his path, became his companion, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scotsman in your hearts when you have your next whiskey.”
They continued, “We implore you to let us grieve in private as we find a way to navigate through this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”
Ten Chairman Beverley McGarvey said in a statement: “This is a very sad day for Jock’s family, friends, colleagues at Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia and for MasterChef fans across Australia and the world.
Jock was an extraordinary man. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and we feel so privileged to have him in such an important and influential role at MasterChef. For all his outstanding professional accomplishments, nothing brought him more than joy or happiness from his family. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.
Peter Newman, CEO of Endemol Shine Australia said, “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Jock’s passing. Jock was an incredible talent, not just as a celebrity chef, but as someone who could bring joy into people’s homes in Australia and around the world in his role as a judge on MasterChef Australia.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body around 2am on Monday after he was called to a hotel in Lygon Street in Carlton for a well-being check.
The cause of death has not been disclosed, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A forensic report will be prepared.
The Scottish Australian chef and restaurateur became the host of the popular cooking show on Channel 10 in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leung.
Zonfrilo, who began his career under Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White in the UK, developed a 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 voted Best Chef in Australia by The Australian newspaper.
The British-born chef is survived by his third wife, Lorraine Fried, and his four children: Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and Alfie, five, and Isla, two, with Fried.