Has Andy Allen and Melissa Leong’s time on the MasterChef judging panel come to an end?
Rumours are swirling that the duo, who joined the show in 2020, could be planning to quit the show as they continue to grapple with the tragic death of their co-star Jock Zonfrillo.
Some fans are convinced the entire hosting panel may be replaced altogether, after Channel 10 refused to confirm Jock’s replacement in a recent casting call for contestants next season.
‘Has anyone ever thought, ‘What if Mel and Andy decide not to continue being judges next season?” one Facebook user wrote on a MasterChef fan page last week.
‘That crossed my mind too,’ another user wrote.
Rumours are swirling that Andy Allen, 35, (left) and Melissa Leong, 41, (centre) may be preparing to quit MasterChef Australia following the death of their beloved co-star Jock Zonfrillo last month (right)
Several fans pointed out that it wouldn’t be the first time MasterChef Australia scrapped an entire judging panel, following the departure of Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris in 2019.
‘Like in any other job, none of us are indispensable, and there will always be someone to take our place no matter how loved, talented they/you/we are,’ someone else wrote.
However other users noted that Jock would want Andy and Melissa to continue starring on the show in his honour.

Social media fans have been debating whether MasterChef will usher in a new judging panel next season, after Channel 10 refused to confirm Jock’s replacement in a recent casting call for contestants

‘Has anyone ever thought, ‘What if Mel and Andy decide not to continue being judges next season?” one Facebook user wrote on a MasterChef fan page last week

Several fans pointed out that it wouldn’t be the first time MasterChef Australia scrapped an entire judging panel, following the departure of Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris in 2019.
‘I’m sure Jock would not want them to quit,’ one wrote, adding: ‘TV is a tough gig to get into, and being a judge on our much-loved MasterChef is a once in a lifetime opportunity and an honour.’
‘I am sure they are professional enough to overcome missing Jock and to embrace a new judge. I would hope so anyway. We don’t leave a job when a colleague passes away and it is their job at the end of the day,’ another agreed.
Some users also claimed it would be unlikely for Andy and Melissa to turn down such a lucrative gig, following reports the pair are earning at least $500,000 a year.

Some users also claimed it would be unlikely for Andy and Melissa to turn down such a lucrative gig, following reports the pair are earning at least $500,000 a year
It comes as Ten continues its search for contestants to appear on the next season of MasterChef Australia.
No filming dates have been set for the new season, but applicants have been told they must be over the age of 18 by the time October 16 comes around.
There is still no word on who will be replacing Jock as judge following his tragic death.
Jock died on May 1 aged 46. He was laid to rest in a private funeral in Sydney in May, surrounded by 200 family and friends.

There is still no word on who will be replacing Jock Zonfrillio as judge on the hit cooking competition

It comes as Ten continues its search for contestants to appear on the next season of MasterChef Australia. No filming dates have been set for the new season, but applicants have been told they must be over the age of 18 by the time October 16 comes around
The media personality was scheduled for several publicity engagements for season 15 of MasterChef when he died suddenly.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that when the police entered the hotel room to conduct a welfare check, officers believed that Zonfrillo had died of natural causes and didn’t find anything that suggested otherwise.
There was also no drug paraphernalia found in the hotel room, sources said.
In the wake of the tragic news, Zonfrillo’s fellow Masterchef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen pulled out of all media appearances to promote the cooking show’s return.

Jock died on May 1 aged 46. He was laid to rest in a private funeral in Sydney in May, surrounded by 200 family and friends. He is pictured here with Lauren and their two children Isla, two, and Alfie, six
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk