Studio 10 host Tristan MacManus breaks down live on air over the death of his friend Jock Zonfrillo
Studio 10 host Tristan MacManus bursts into tears live following the death of his friend Jock Zonfrillo and recalls the shocking moment he received the news
Tristan MacManus broke down live at Studio 10 Tuesday morning as he remembered Jock Zonfrillo after the MasterChef star’s shocking death on Sunday.
The Scottish-born celebrity chef, 46, was found dead in his Melbourne hotel room around 2am on Monday after police arrived for a welfare check.
MacManus, who shared “a few drinks” and “a few stories” with the Zonfrillo over the years, choked as he talked about his friend.
The TV presenter described Zonfrillo as “a nice, sincere man” whom he considered his “favorite.”
“We just wanted to pay tribute to our dear friend Jock Zonfrillo,” MacManus said in tears.
Tristan MacManus broke down live at Studio 10 Tuesday morning as he remembered Jock Zonfrillo after the MasterChef star’s shock death on Sunday. Pictured with co-hosts Denise Drysdale, Jess Eva and Angela Bishop
While co-hosts Jess Eva and Angela Bishop comforted him, MacManus found the strength to say a few words in honor of the late chief.
‘He was such a good guy. In a world of acquired tastes, he was my favorite. Just a nice, sincere man. I was so shocked when I got the call,” he said.
“We had a few drinks together, we shared a few stories together. Just a great guy. I am so devastated for his family and children. He will be sorely missed.’
MacManus (left), who shared “a few drinks” and “a few stories” with the Zonfrillo (right) over the years, choked while talking about his friend
It comes as an insider with new details about the frantic battle on Channel 10 after network executives learned of Zonfrillo’s shock death on the eve of the new season airing.
Behind the scenes, network executives and MasterChef producers sprang into action, ensuring the shocking news didn’t go public until 2 p.m., just five and a half hours before the season premiere was set to air.
The first thing they did was contact Zonfrillo’s wife Lauren and his two youngest children who were vacationing in Italy and book the family on the first flight home.
The Scottish-born celebrity chef, 46, was found dead in his Melbourne hotel room around 2am on Monday after police arrived for a welfare check
Statements had to be prepared and publicity jobs had to be canceled at the last minute when Channel 10 took over the social media accounts of Zonfrillo and his MasterChef co-stars Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.
Leong seemed none the wiser when she spoke glowingly about Zonfrillo in an interview that aired on a Perth radio station on Monday before all other interviews were abruptly canceled for the rest of the day.
The broadcast of the 15th season of MasterChef Australia has been postponed by at least a week, the network will edit the 62 episodes before airing.
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It comes as an insider released new details about the frantic battle on Channel 10 after network executives learned of MasterChef Zonfrillo’s shock death on the eve of the new season airing. Pictured with his co-hosts Melissa Leong (right) and Andy Allen (left)