MasterChef fate rests in family’s hands after shock death of Jock Zonfrillo
The fate of this season’s MasterChef Australia will be decided by the late Jock Zonfrillo’s wife.
The TV host’s tragic and sudden death has had massive implications for the family and the 15th season of the franchise.
The 46-year-old Zonfrillo passed away on launch day. He had flown home early from a family vacation in Italy to start promotional work for the show along with co-hosts Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
MasterChef will not air until at least Monday, May 8, but the network 10 is considering several options for the $30 million show including keeping it on hold for longer or postponing indefinitely.
Any decision will be made in concert with Zonfrillo’s family, specifically his wife Lauren Fried.
Sponsors say they will respect any decision the network makes.
“Commercially, and in terms of timing, this is a disaster. It is simply diabolical,” a Ten insider told Daily Mail.
“But not even a major TV network would be ghoulish enough to put anything other than the wishes of Jock's family first and foremost.
“Ultimately, it will be about whether they think he would have wanted the show to go on and if it's too soon, it's too soon. There will be a contingency plan whatever decision is made.”
Corporate sponsorship will be heavily affected, putting Ten in a precarious position.
Coles invests about $6million of the show's production budget, while other sponsors include Harvey Norman, Somat, Bulla, L'Or Espresso, Primo Small Goods and HCF Australia.
“The network is in an awful position. This is a devastatingly unique situation and navigating it must be unthinkable for everyone involved,' another source told Daily Mail.
Zonfrillo's death is not being treated as suspicious by Melbourne police. He was found alone and unresponsive in a hotel on Lygon St in Carlton.
“With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said in a statement.
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words.
“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.”
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd May 2023
