Following the sudden death of Jock Zonfrillo, there have been rumours swirling around who will step in to fill the void left by the beloved “MasterChef Australia” judge. However, Channel 10 has denied the recent reports, which suggested they were already searching for a replacement for the next season of the show.
The Daily Mail had mentioned a few names as potential frontrunners for the role, including former “MasterChef” stars Dan Churchill and Hayden Quinn, as well as the well-known TV personality Poh Ling Yeow, who is also a “MasterChef Australia” alum. However, a spokesperson from Channel 10 clarified that casting for the next season of “MasterChef Australia” has not yet begun, and slammed any claims suggesting otherwise as “completely false and misleading”.
Jock Zonfrillo, along with Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, joined the “MasterChef” judging panel in 2019, bringing a fresh perspective and culinary expertise to the long-running cooking show. Their arrival came after the departure of longtime judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris, and Gary Mehigan.
As the current season of “MasterChef” 2023 featuring Jock Zonfrillo continues to air, plans for the next season are set to enter pre-production later this year. The sudden loss of Zonfrillo has undoubtedly left a void in the hearts of the show’s fans and the entire “MasterChef Australia” family.
Zonfrillo’s passing came as a shock to many. Just hours before the scheduled premiere of the new season, authorities discovered the Scottish chef dead in a Melbourne hotel room.
Jock Zonfrillo’s passing was confirmed in a joint statement released by Network 10 and his family on May 1. In light of the tragic event, “MasterChef” was postponed for a week as a mark of respect for the beloved judge.
While the question of who will replace Jock remains unanswered, his memory and contributions to “MasterChef Australia” will always be cherished.
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