Sources claim MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo was secretly battling bowel cancer for several years before his death.
The father-of-four was found dead around 2 am on May 1 in a Melbourne hotel room during a welfare check, the same day the latest season of the hit cooking show was set to air.
According to Daily Mail Australia, the 46-year-old kept his health struggles under wraps.
He had been undergoing treatment from at least June 2021, a month after the disease was detected in a colonoscopy.
“No one in his circle is aware of what he is going through. Neither colleagues or friends,” a source said at the time.
“He has not wanted anyone to know as he deals with this tough journey. He is coping poorly with chemo treatment, and the effects it is having.”
The insider added that the celebrity chef was an out-patient at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney and Epworth Oncology in Melbourne. He is also said to have sought treatment in Queensland.
It is understood that Jock had previously been treated for bowel cancer with chemotherapy and radiation before entering into remission in 2016.
No cause of death has been disclosed, and it is not suggested Jock died of bowel cancer.
Jock Zonfrillo’s family releases statement regarding MasterChef judge’s death
The Scotland-born chef‘s family confirmed his death in a statement shared to his personal Instagram page on May 1.
“With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” they wrote.
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words.
“For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.
“We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”
Jock is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and Alfie and Isla whom he shares with Lauren.
He recently departed a family holiday in Italy to return to Australia for MasterChef press, according to Daily Mail.
Network Ten addresses Jock Zonfrillo’s death and the fate of MasterChef
Network Ten and Endemol Shine Australia also shared their sympathies, stating they are “deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family.”
Out of respect for the beloved chef, the network revealed MasterChef will not air this week as planned.
The fifteenth season was due to premiere on May 1.
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