MasterChef: Inside Ben Ungermann’s sudden exit and mystery arrest

Inside MasterChef’s biggest secret: How Channel 10 ‘called an emergency meeting’ to address Ben Ungermann’s arrest during filming before deciding to edit him out ‘the best they could’

  • Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com 

MasterChef Australia producers reportedly held crisis talks after fan favourite Ben Ungermann was arrested over a personal matter during filming.

Executives called the show’s editors into an ’emergency meeting’ last month and instructed them to ‘cut him out the best you can’, according to New Idea on Monday.

The incident apparently came as a shock to MasterChef brass, with a source saying: ‘No one could have imagined something like that would ever happen.’

Inside MasterChef’s biggest secret: How Channel 10 ‘called an emergency meeting’ to address Ben Ungermann’s arrest during filming before deciding to edit him out ‘the best they could’

Ben himself has acknowledged his infrequent appearances on screen, saying ‘it’s up to MasterChef’ what happens in the editing suite.

MasterChef is produced by Endemol Shine Australia and airs on Channel 10. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the network for comment.

News of Ben’s arrest surfaced last month, prompting a spokesperson for Endemol Shine to issue a brief statement to the media.

Unexpected: Ben's arrest apparently came as a shock to MasterChef brass, with a source telling New Idea: 'No one could have imagined something like that would ever happen'

Unexpected: Ben’s arrest apparently came as a shock to MasterChef brass, with a source telling New Idea: ‘No one could have imagined something like that would ever happen’

‘We can confirm Ben Ungermann has left the MasterChef Australia competition. As this is a police matter, we will not be making further comment.’

They added that the arrest was of ‘a personal nature’. 

Ben was a runner-up on the 2017 season and went on to appear as a guest on MasterChef Holland and MasterChef Indonesia.

Edited out: Ben himself has acknowledged his infrequent appearances on screen, saying 'it's up to MasterChef' what happens in the editing suite. Pictured left in a trailer for MasterChef

Edited out: Ben himself has acknowledged his infrequent appearances on screen, saying ‘it’s up to MasterChef’ what happens in the editing suite. Pictured left in a trailer for MasterChef

He also runs the Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream Parlour with his brother, Danny.

Last week, an Instagram follower asked Ben why he wasn’t being featured on the show despite being a fan favourite. 

‘I’m actually devastated. How do they edit you out?’ they wrote, to which Ben replied: ‘That’s up to MasterChef Australia. Appreciate the support.’

'Personal nature': News of Ben's arrest surfaced last month, prompting a spokesperson for Endemol Shine to issue a brief statement to the media. 'We can confirm Ben Ungermann has left MasterChef,' they said. 'As this is a police matter, we will not be making further comment'

‘Personal nature’: News of Ben’s arrest surfaced last month, prompting a spokesperson for Endemol Shine to issue a brief statement to the media. ‘We can confirm Ben Ungermann has left MasterChef,’ they said. ‘As this is a police matter, we will not be making further comment’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk