TVNZ2 has revealed its plans to broadcast the new season of MasterChef Australia in New Zealand, following Jock Zonfrillo’s shock death this week.
Following in Channel 10’s footsteps, the international broadcaster issued a statement on Facebook on Thursday.
While Ten announced on Wednesday the new season will premiere at 7.30pm on Sunday, May 7, in Australia, the show will be aired in New Zealand a week later and start on Sunday May 14.
‘With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, the new season of MasterChef Australia will premiere on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ on Sunday May 14 at 7pm,’ the statement read.
‘The season will serve as a tribute to Jock, whose legacy will always live on in the MasterChef kitchen,’ it finished.
TVNZ2 has revealed its plans to broadcast the new season of MasterChef Australia in New Zealand, following Jock Zonfrillo’s shock death this week
Underneath, Kiwi viewers were supportive of the newsy, with one saying it will be an ‘awesome tribute to Jock’.
‘I’m sure Jock will live on in his family’s minds and hearts forever, as it will ours, whenever we watch MasterChef,’ they added in part of their post.
‘I don’t know if I will be able to watch it without crying,’ another said.
Following in Channel 10’s footsteps, the international broadcaster issued a statement on Facebook on Thursday. The show will be aired in New Zealand a week later and start on Sunday May 14
Underneath, Kiwi viewers were supportive of the newsy, with one saying it will be an ‘awesome tribute to Jock’. ‘I don’t know if I will be able to watch it without crying,’ another said
Channel Ten’s decision to air the new season of MasterChef following the death of judge Jock Zonfrillo has divided viewers of the cooking show.
The fifteenth season had been scheduled to launch on May 1 but it was pushed back after the Scottish chef was found dead at a Melbourne hotel at 2am on Monday.
Ten announced on Wednesday the new season will premiere at 7.30pm on Sunday, May 7.
Some fans praised the network for continuing with the season with the family’s blessing, while others said it would be difficult to watch in light of Zonfrillo’s death.
Channel Ten’s decision to air the new season of MasterChef following the death of judge Jock Zonfrillo has divided viewers of the cooking show
‘This is going to be so hard to watch, but I will. His family will be in my thoughts,’ one viewer wrote on Instagram.
‘While it will be sad knowing this is the last we will see of Jock, it’ll be a great honour to see him off in his last work on TV,’ another said.
‘Oh man, it’s going to be an extremely hard watch but I wouldn’t miss it,’ a third viewer commented.
‘I was so excited for this season to start, but it’s going to hurt when it ends. Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo, everybody,’ another wrote.
One fan said: ‘Man, this’ll be hard to watch. I don’t know if I can.’
The fifteenth season had been scheduled to launch on May 1 but it was pushed back after the Scottish chef was found dead at a Melbourne hotel at 2am on Monday
‘Watching this season is going to be utterly heartbreaking. Still in total disbelief. I cannot imagine how his family must be feeling,’ another agreed.
Production wrapped on the 62-episode season at MasterChef HQ in Flemington, Melbourne, last month.
The new season reportedly cost ‘millions’ to make, and producers are now looking to add a special ‘tribute’ episode to Zonfrillo before confirming his replacement.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: grown-up daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Police attended a Lygon Street address for a welfare check and located a man deceased about 2am on May 1.
‘The 46-year-old man’s death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.’
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: grown-up daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried
