TVNZ has confirmed to the Herald that Leong was due in Auckland at the end of the week to promote MasterChef Australia: Secrets & Surprises, which was due to air on TVNZ 2 from May 7.
But after the shocking news of her co-star’s death was announced yesterday, the show has been postponed in Australia and Leong’s promotional plans held until further notice.
WhileTVNZ is yet to announce whether or not it will postpone the show here, which was set to run a week after it aired in Australia, it released a statement on social media expressing its “devastation” over Zonfrillo’s passing.
“New Zealand viewers love MasterChef Australia and Jock is one of the reasons why the show has become such an international sensation. Audiences have always appreciated his passion for food, his care of contestants, as well as his humour and cheeky charisma.”
The statement went on to say conversations with Network Ten and Endemol Shine in Australia would continue “in the coming days about their plans going forward”.
“We’ll update our viewers as soon as we can. Our condolences are with Jock’s family and the team that brings MasterChef to life.”
Meanwhile, the immediate future of the show is being brought into question in Australia where it’s understood the production of the popular reality TV cooking competition runs into the millions of dollars.
Melissa Leong on an episode of MasterChef Australia 2021. Photo / Ten
According to news.com, the exorbitant cost over a whopping 62 episodes points to the season still being run eventually.
The Daily Telegraphanticipates the network will need to make changes and edits to ensure there’s no footage that “will distress viewers and more pertinently, family and close friends”.
A TV executive told the news outlet the situation is unprecedented.
“There is really no precedent for this. Word is that the show will continue, it really is a matter of what, how and when so that it is appropriately respectful to the family and to viewers.”
While Leong’s promotional tour in New Zealand has been held, the cook book editor, critic and food writer had already begun interviews in Australia about the pending series when she learned of her co-star’s death.
Speaking to Western Australian show HIT WA Breakfast, Leong said of her co-star: “Over the years I used to be a very competitive eater, especially with Jock. I learned very quickly not to try to keep up with Jock because you will lose. He has hollow legs and can eat at a rate and a volume that defies physics, logic and science.”
Shortly after Leong’s interview aired, Australia’s Network Ten issued a release announcing Zonfrillo’s death and postponement of the show for a week.
Last night on Australian show The Project, in which Zonfrillo had been scheduled to appear, entertainment editor Angela Bishop said his colleagues were still “trying to process the news”.
“They would work 16 hours days together for MasterChef,” she said of Leong and third co-star Andy Allen. “You couldn’t find closer work mates and confidantes,” Bishop said. “They are devastated, ‘broken’ is the word described to me, they are trying to process this news.”
A statement from Channel 10 and Endemol Shine Australia said: “Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family.
“Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge, but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son.”
After news of the award-winning chef’s death broke, the Daily Mail Australia reported Zonfrillo was secretly battling bowel cancer, receiving treatment between filming MasterChef.
According to a source, the chef kept his health concerns to himself because he didn’t want anyone, not friends or colleagues, to know or feel sorry for him.
“I was told the reason why he hasn’t disclosed his medical condition was because he didn’t want people feeling sorry for him, or treating him any different,” the source said.
But since his sudden passing, tributes have flowed for the popular celebrity chef including heartfelt messages from the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver.
The family released a statement expressing their devastation and “completely shattered hearts.” They also asked those who had known him to “keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.”
