Ben Ungermann’s ex-girlfriend breaks her silence after the dumped MasterChef star was charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl
The ex-girlfriend of MasterChef: Back to Win contestant Ben Ungermann has spoken out after the chef was charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Alicia Miller, who dated Ungermann for four years and was also his manager, told Woman’s Day she was ‘sorry’ to hear about the alleged incident and confirmed she had not spoken to him for a year.
‘I’m sorry to hear this has allegedly happened to some poor, innocent girl. [Ben and I] parted ways professionally last year in June and I haven’t had contact since then,’ Miller said.
Breaking her silence: Alicia Miller (left), the ex-girlfriend of MasterChef: Back to Win contestant Ben Ungermann (right), has spoken out after the chef was charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl
Ungermann was charged by Victorian sexual crime squad detectives on March 6 with two counts of sexual assault.
The charges followed an alleged incident in Melbourne’s Docklands on February 23 involving a 16-year-old girl.
At the time, he was filming the latest series of MasterChef – but was eliminated from the competition once producers learned of his arrest.
Statement: Alicia Miller, who dated Ungermann for four years and was also his manager, told Woman’s Day she was ‘sorry’ to hear about the alleged incident and confirmed she had not spoken to him for a year
New relationship: After breaking up with Miller sometime in 2017 or 2018, Ungermann began dating South African radio presenter Leigh-Anne Williams (right)
Miller had apparently encouraged her then-boyfriend to apply for MasterChef’s ninth season in 2017. Ungermann ended up placing runner-up to Diana Chan.
He said at the time: ‘She really applied the pressure on me and said, “You’re really good, you should really just do it,” and the rest is history.’
After breaking up with Miller sometime in 2017 or 2018, Ungermann began dating South African radio presenter Leigh-Anne Williams.
It’s unclear if Ungermann and Williams, who is based in Cape Town, are still together.
Legal matter: Ungermann was charged by Victorian sexual crime squad detectives on March 6 with two counts of sexual assault. The charges followed an alleged incident in Melbourne’s Docklands on February 23 involving a 16-year-old girl
On March 20, it was first reported that Ungermann had been arrested.
At the time, a spokesperson for Endemol Shine described his arrest as being ‘of a personal nature’ but didn’t provide further details.
Endemol Shine is the production company behind MasterChef and other popular shows, including Married At First Sight.
Charged: Ungermann will deny all allegations and has hired criminal lawyer Adam Houda to represent him in court. He is listed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 25
Ungermann will deny all allegations and has hired top criminal lawyer Adam Houda to represent him in court.
He is listed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 25.
Mr Houda, who has 24 years’ experience in criminal law, told Daily Mail Australia his client was completely blindsided by the charges.
‘My client is distressed by the charges, which came as a huge shock to him,’ he said. ‘The allegations, I am instructed, are a complete fabrication and are denied.’
‘A complete fabrication’: Mr Houda (pictured), who has 24 years’ experience in criminal law, told Daily Mail Australia his client was completely blindsided by the charges