Network Ten reviewing new episodes of MasterChef Australia in wake of Jock Zonfrillo’s death

The new season will be carefully scrutinised in the wake of Jock’s death, with producers urgently reviewing each episode.

Network 10 is said to be urgently reviewing the new season of MasterChef Australia in the wake of Jock Zonfrillo’s sudden death.

The late chef and judge’s family have given their blessing for the new season to air despite Zonfrillo’s death, but now producers are carefully scrutinising every single episode for fear something he said – which would normally go unnoticed if he were still alive – could potentially draw attention to his death.

However, there will also be care taken to ensure Zonfrillo’s personality remains in tact, so any edits “won’t be too heavy-handed”.

“There are two schools of thought,” one source told The Australian’s Media Diary. “If there is too much of an edit, it can take away from what he was as well. For example, if he tries a dish and says, ‘That one’s a killer’, well, that’s him.”

MasterChef Australia judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo.

Another major change was made to the title of this season’s show. Originally billed MasterChef Australia: Secrets & Surprises, the Secrets & Surprises subtitle has since been dropped.

The first episode of MasterChef Season 15 premiered on Sunday night, one week after it was postponed due to Zonfrillo’s death on April 30. The show was meant to premiere on May 1, but was held back for one week after the beloved chef was found dead in his hotel room in Melbourne. He was 46.

Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren and kids Alfie and Isla. Picture: jockzonfrillo/Instagram

The delayed season premiere was a clear ratings winner last night, ranking third for the evening, with 761,000 metro viewers.

Network 10 announced last Wednesday that the series would premiere on Sunday – a decision reached after consultation with Zonfrillo’s family.

“Jock Zonfrillo took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and, of course, inspiring a nation of home cooks,” the network said in a statement at the time.

“It is with Jock in our hearts that we cherish this season and remember the charismatic and big-hearted judge and chef who we knew and loved. Jock will be remembered in the MasterChef Australia kitchen for years to come.”