TV sources give an insight into MasterChef Australia’s next steps after losing Jock Zonfrillo

MasterChef Australia’s season premiere is now delayed as the cast and crew are in shock over Jock Zonfrillo’s death. TV experts have given some insight into what will happen.

The shock passing of Jock Zonfrillo has left all in the air on the new season of MasterChef.

Network 10 immediately made the decision to push out the much publicised premiere from Monday night and are working on what comes next for the hugely popular reality cooking show, of which Zonfrillo was integral.

Production had wrapped a month ago at Melbourne’s Flemington MasterChef headquarters with the full slate of episodes in the can and a series winner already crowned.

Sources say season 15, which would have costs millions of dollars to produce, will go ahead but changes will be made.

“With all episodes already in the vault, they will be watching every episode carefully to ensure there is nothing that will distress viewers and more pertinently, family and close friends,” the production source said.

“It is not something you can get wrong so they will take their time.”

MasterChef Judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen. Picture: Ten

Ten boss Beverley McGarvey will over the coming days meet with producers to iron out next steps.

In October, 10 announced a spin-off series of Dessert Masters that it planned to film and screen this year. It was due to start production imminently. Again, that is up in the air with some speculating that fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen will stand as a duo while producers look further ahead as to finding a replacement for Zonfrillo for season 16.

One well-placed industry executive noted that it was too soon to determine what will happen.

“There is really no precedent for this,” the TV executive said.

“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. There is talk of a tribute special, as well as some sort of tribute at the top of the first episode. Longer term, and again it is way too soon, they will look at a new judge for the next season.”

Originally published as TV sources give an insight into MasterChef Australia’s next steps after losing Jock Zonfrillo