MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen fights back the tears as he admits Jock Zonfrillo’s death has hit him ‘like a ton of bricks’: ‘I’m struggling to realise he’s gone’
MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen paid tribute to his co-star Jock Zonfrillo during a special episode of The Sunday Project.
In his first interview since the shocking news, Allen, 35, sat down with Sarah Harris and revealed the devastating impact Zonfrillo’s death has had on him.
The former MasterChef winner-turned-judge was left heartbroken after his beloved co-star tragically died last week aged 46.
‘I wanna say I’m OK, but I am not great,’ Allen told Harris.
‘This has hit me like a ton of bricks. He’s the heart and soul of this place… I’m just struggling to realise that he’s actually gone.’
Allen went on to say that being on the MasterChef set without Zonfrillo felt strange, before detailing the last time he saw him.
MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen (pictured) paid tribute to his co-star Jock Zonfrillo during a special episode of The Sunday Project
In his first interview since the shocking news, Allen, 35, sat down with Sarah Harris and revealed the devastating impact Zonfrillo’s death has had on him. Pictured: Allen and Harris
Recalling their last lunch together, he said, ‘We went to Tippo. He ordered the whole menu. We hadn’t seen each other for a while, it was a good old catch up about what we’ve been doing, what we were excited about.’
Zonfrillo and his family had recently relocated to Rome, with the MasterChef judge flying back to Melbourne solo for the show’s premiere.
Andy revealed that Zonfrillo was eager to return to Rome and start a new life with his family.
Recalling their last lunch together, he said, ‘We went to Tippo. He ordered the whole menu. We hadn’t seen each other for a while, it was a good old catch up about what we’ve been doing, what we were excited about’
Andy confessed that a part of him felt guilty for not being there with Zonfrillo during his final moments.
When asked about what he would miss the most about Zonfrillo, Allen said: ‘Everything. I probably spend more time – in the six months that we film – with him than my wife.
‘I am gonna miss everything that this guy has brought into my life… He couldn’t wait for Alex and I to have kids as well. He always said I was gonna be a great dad. And I just wish he was around to see that.’
Andy confessed that a part of him felt guilty for not being there with Zonfrillo during his final moments. Pictured together on November 1, 2022
Andy paid tribute to Jock on Instagram last week, writing: ‘You’ve taught me so much about food, but it’s the lessons I learnt about what it means to be a great father, husband and friend that I’ll take away from our time together and will last forever.’
Season 15 of the show had been due to launch on May 1 but it was pushed back after the Scottish chef was was found dead by police at a Melbourne hotel at 2am on Monday.
‘With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, MasterChef Australia will air at 7.30pm on Sunday, 7 May,’ read a Channel 10 statement shared to Instagram on Wednesday.
‘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,’ it went on.
‘Jock will be remembered in the MasterChef Australia kitchen for years to come.’
The former MasterChef winner-turned-judge was left heartbroken after his beloved co-star tragically died last week aged 46. Both pcitured
Season 15 of the show had been due to launch on May 1 but it was pushed back after the Scottish chef was was found dead by police at a Melbourne hotel at 2am on Monday
‘With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, MasterChef Australia will air at 7.30pm on Sunday, 7 May,’ read a Channel 10 statement shared to Instagram on Wednesday
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