MasterChef crew hold back tears returning to set for the first time since Jock Zonfrillo’s death 

The MasterChef crew hold back tears as they return to the set for the first time since the death of Jock Zonfrillo…as producers begin to look at the future of the Channel 10 series without the celebrity chef

The MasterChef crew were overcome with grief when they returned to the Channel 10 reality show last week.

Since the latest season has already been filmed, it’s the first time they’re back on set following Judge Jock Zonfrillo’s tragic death.

According to The Saturday Telegraphcrew members had to hold back tears because they missed their deceased friend and colleague in the studio.

Sources told the publication that on-set production came to a frequent halt as the cast and crew were overcome with grief.

It is the first time many of them have seen each other since the chief’s private funeral in Sydney two weeks ago.

The MasterChef crew were overcome with grief when they returned to the Channel 10 reality show last week (pictured Jock Zonfrillo)

The 46-year-old died on April 30, just a day before the latest series of the popular cooking show was due to air.

It is believed he died of natural causes after being found dead by police in a Melbourne hotel in the early hours of the morning.

Channel 10 producers will probably now be trying to decide what to do with the next series after his death.

As the latest season has already been filmed, it will be their first time back on set following the tragic death of judge Jock Zonfrillo (pictured with judges Andy Allen and Melissa Leong)

As the latest season has already been filmed, it will be their first time back on set following the tragic death of judge Jock Zonfrillo (pictured with judges Andy Allen and Melissa Leong)

They can replace the beloved judge, or replace all three judges – giving Andy Allen and Melissa Leong the boat.

Here’s what the show did in 2019 after contract litigation with judges Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan, and George Calombaris when it decided to completely recast the panel.

Four days ago, Jock’s daughter Ava Zonfrillo broke her public silence after her father’s death.

On Sunday, 22-year-old Ava shared a poignant memory of her father three weeks after his passing.

Four days ago, Jock's daughter Ava broke her public silence following the death of her father (both pictured when Ava was a toddler)

Four days ago, Jock’s daughter Ava broke her public silence following the death of her father (both pictured when Ava was a toddler)

Ava Zonfrillo, 22, shared a poignant memory of her father three weeks after his passing on Sunday (both pictured)

Ava Zonfrillo, 22, shared a poignant memory of her father three weeks after his passing on Sunday (both pictured)

“Still can’t accept that we’ll remember you longer than we had you, but that doesn’t mean we’ll love you any less,” Ava wrote under an Instagram post of hers when she was a toddler with Jock. .

“I love your father, always.”

The post was accompanied by eight photos and two videos of Zonfrillo, some featuring the father and daughter together in Ms. Zonfrillo’s childhood, and some more recent snaps.

Ava is the daughter of Jock and his first wife Amanda Ewing. Ava initially followed her father’s footsteps in the culinary world and worked as a public relations in the hospitality industry.

Ava is the daughter of Jock (pictured) and his first wife Amanda Ewing.

Ava is the daughter of Jock (pictured) and his first wife Amanda Ewing.