Jock Zonfrillo dies: International broadcaster confirms MasterChef airdate

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 Channel 10, the international broadcaster issued a statement on Facebook on Thursday.

While Ten announced on Wednesday that the new season will premiere in Australia on Sunday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m., the show will air a week later in New Zealand, starting 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 said.

The season will serve as a tribute to Jock, whose legacy will live on forever in the MasterChef kitchen.

Below that, Kiwi viewers supported the news, with one saying it will be a “great tribute to Jock.”

“I’m sure Jock will live on forever in the minds and hearts of his family, just like ours, when we watch MasterChef,” they added in part of their post.

“I don’t know if I can look at it without crying,” said another.

Following Channel 10, the international broadcaster issued a statement on Facebook on Thursday. The show will air in New Zealand a week later, starting on Sunday, May 14

Below that, Kiwi viewers supported the news, with one saying it will be a “great tribute to Jock.” “I don’t know if I can look at it without crying,” said another

Channel Ten’s decision to air the new season of MasterChef following the death of Judge Jock Zonfrillo has divided the cooking show’s viewers.

The fifteenth season was due to start on May 1, but was postponed after the Scottish chef was found dead at 2am Monday in a Melbourne hotel.

Ten announced on Wednesday that the new season will premiere on Sunday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Some fans praised the network for continuing with the season with the family’s blessing, while others said it would be hard 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 the cooking show’s viewers

“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’ll see of Jock, it will be a great honor to see him out in his final work on TV,” said another.

“Oh man, it’s going to be an extremely tough watch, but I wouldn’t want to 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, everyone,” another wrote.

One fan said, “Man, this is going to be hard to watch. I don’t know if I can.’

The fifteenth season was due to start on May 1, but was postponed after the Scottish chef was found dead at 2 a.m. Monday in a Melbourne hotel.

“Watching this season will be heartbreaking. Still in disbelief. I can’t imagine how his family must feel,” another said.

Production on the 62-episode season wrapped up last month at MasterChef’s Melbourne headquarters in Flemington.

The new season reportedly cost “millions” to make, and producers are now looking to make a special “tribute” episode to Zonfrillo before confirming his replacement.

Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: adult 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 went to an address on Lygon Street for a welfare check and found a dead man at around 2am on 1 May.

The death of the 46-year-old man is not considered suspicious. A report is being prepared for the coroner.’

Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried