‘MasterChef’ Announces New Air Date As Tributes Pour In For Jock Zonfrillo
MasterChef Australia has announced a new premiere date after the tragic news of judge Jock Zonfrillo‘s death.
News broke yesterday that the chef and MasterChef judge had died on Sunday, aged 46. Jock leaves behind his wife Lauren and their two young children, as well as two older children from his previous marriages.
MasterChef was originally scheduled to start on May 1, but the show has now been reported to start next Monday instead.
On Instagram yesterday, Jock’s family asked the public to let them grieve privately as they paid tribute to him.
“With completely shattered hearts and not knowing how we could possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share Jock passed away,” they said. “For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.
We implore you to please let us grieve privately 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.”
Tributes have poured in for the celebrity chef, with Jamie Oliver leading the way. “I’m in total shock to wake up to the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo,” Jamie captioned his post.
“We had the best time working together for this year’s MasterChef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him! Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful…Melissa, Andy & Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors and each have there very own unique view and style. Jock will be so very missed… I can’t believe I’m writing this.”
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Nigella Lawson commented on the Instagram post made on Jock’s account, sending her sympathies to his family. “My deepest, deepest sympathies and much love to Jock’s family and friends. How devastating. How unbearable. My heart goes out to you,” she said.
Chef and MasterChef India judge, Kunal Kapur, wrote, “Still can’t believe this! My deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” before sharing some more words on his Instagram story.
Aussie celebrities paid tribute also, with former Bachelorette star Georgia Love sending condolences.
“I’m so shocked and saddened by this. Jock was so kind, to me and to anyone else I’ve heard he ever had contact with. I’m so sorry,” she commented.
Aussie actor Rebecca Gibney also paid tribute to Jock. Rebecca appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021.
“Impossible to comprehend and utterly heartbreaking. Jock brought so much joy to the MasterChef set and none of us could have gotten through it without his humour, genuine kindness and encouragement,” she captioned her post.
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While fellow MasterChef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen haven’t made any public posts yet, on The Project last night Network 10 entertainment editor Angela Bishop said both were heartbroken over the news.
“They would work 16 hours days together for MasterChef, you couldn’t find closer work mates and confidantes,” Bishop said. “They are devastated, ‘broken’ is the word descried to me, they are trying to process this news.”
The Project paid tribute to Jock also, stating that he was going to be on the show with them that night. “It’s extraordinary that we’re in this situation, the scale of the loss is hard to express,” host Waleed Aly said. “So before we go, the final look at a colleague and a mate.”
Celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo has died aged 46. We look back at the time that made him famous across the country; MasterChef Australia. pic.twitter.com/k4pTPXVjtq
— The Project (@theprojecttv) May 1, 2023
Our thoughts go out to Jock’s family and friends during this difficult time.