The new season of MasterChef Australia will air on Sunday with the "full support" of late judge Jock Zonfrillo's family, programme bosses have announced.
Victoria Police said officers went to an address in Lygon Street in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton where they found a body at about 2am and confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious.
The new series of MasterChef Australia was due to air on Australian television on Monday night with British chef Jamie Oliver among its celebrity guests, but a statement from Network 10 and the programme's producers, Endemol Shine Australia, confirmed the show would not be broadcast.
The new season of #MasterChefAU begins 7.30pm Sunday on @Channel10AU and 10 Play. pic.twitter.com/EOnMdXb9Ji
— MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) May 3, 2023
In a statement on Wednesday, the official MasterChef Australia Twitter account said: "With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo's family, MasterChef Australia will air at 7.30pm on Sunday, 7 May.
"MasterChef Australia Judge Jock Zonfrillo took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.
"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.
"A special edition of The Sunday Project will pay tribute to Jock from 6.30pm on Sunday 7 May. With contributions from friends he held closely, the show will honour Jock by reflecting on his personal and professional life in a celebration of his incredible achievements."
The panel show The Sunday Project also tweeted confirming the culinary show's premiere will go ahead "with the blessing of Jock Zonfrillo's family" and confirmed a special edition of #TheProjectTV: A Tribute To Jock will air on Sunday.
Network 10 has announced that the new series of Masterchef will commence this coming Sunday at 7:30PM, with the blessing of Jock Zonfrillo's family.
— The Project (@theprojecttv) May 3, 2023
The premiere of the show was suspended following the passing of Zonfrillo.
A special edition of #TheProjectTV: A Tribute To Jock… pic.twitter.com/u7YeHHLC6w
Source: Press Association
