Studio 10 host Tristan MacManus breaks down in tears live on air over the death of his friend Jock Zonfrillo and recalls the shocking moment he received the news
Tristan MacManus broke down live on Studio 10 on Tuesday morning as he remembered Jock Zonfrillo following the MasterChef star’s shock death on Sunday.
The Scottish-born celebrity chef, 46, was found dead in his Melbourne hotel room about 2am on Monday after police arrived for a welfare check.
MacManus, who ‘shared a few drinks’ and ‘a few stories’ with the Zonfrillo over the years, choked up while talking about his friend.
The TV host described Zonfrillo as ‘a nice, genuine guy’ who he considered his ‘favourite’.
‘We just wanted to pay tribute to our dear friend Jock Zonfrillo,’ MacManus said while tearing up.
Tristan MacManus broke down live on Studio 10 Tuesday morning as he remembered Jock Zonfrillo following the MasterChef star’s shock death on Sunday. Pictured with co-hosts Denise Drysdale, Jess Eva and Angela Bishop
As co-hosts Jess Eva and Angela Bishop offered him comfort, MacManus found the strength to say a few words in the late chef’s honour.
‘He was such a good guy. In a world of acquired tastes, he was my favourite. Just a nice, genuine guy. I was so shocked when I got the phone call,’ he said.
‘We shared a few drinks together, we shared a few stories together. Just a really great guy. I am so devastated for his family and kids. He will very much be missed.’
![MacManus (left), who 'shared a few drinks' and 'a few stories' with the Zonfrillo (right) over the years, choked up while talking about his friend](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/02/02/70462287-12035627-image-m-69_1682991378925.jpg)
![MacManus (left), who 'shared a few drinks' and 'a few stories' with the Zonfrillo (right) over the years, choked up while talking about his friend](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/02/02/70460723-12035627-image-a-70_1682991388576.jpg)
MacManus (left), who ‘shared a few drinks’ and ‘a few stories’ with the Zonfrillo (right) over the years, choked up while talking about his friend
It comes as an insider shed new details on the frantic scramble at Channel 10 after network executives learned of Zonfrillo’s shock death on the eve of the new season going to air.
Behind the scenes, network executives and MasterChef producers swung into action and ensured the shock news did not become public until 2pm, just five-and-a-half hours before the season premiere was due to air.
The first thing they did was contact Zonfrillo’s wife Lauren and his two youngest children holidaying in Italy and book the family on the first flight home.
![The Scottish-born celebrity chef, 46, was found dead in his Melbourne hotel room about 2am on Monday after police arrived for a welfare check](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/02/02/70460731-12035627-image-a-62_1682990438499.jpg)
The Scottish-born celebrity chef, 46, was found dead in his Melbourne hotel room about 2am on Monday after police arrived for a welfare check
There were statements to prepare and publicity engagements to cancel at the last minute as Channel 10 took over the social media accounts of Zonfrillo and his MasterChef co-stars Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.
Leong appeared to be none the wiser when she spoke glowingly about Zonfrillo in a interview that aired on a Perth radio station on Monday before all other interviews for the rest of the day were abruptly cancelled.
The airing of the 15th season of MasterChef Australia has been postponed for at least a week, with reports the network will make edits to the 62 episodes before they air.
For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
![It comes as an insider shed new details on the frantic scramble at Channel 10 after network executives learned of MasterChef Zonfrillo's shock death on the eve of the new season going to air. Pictured with his co-hosts Melissa Leong (right) and Andy Allen (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/02/02/70457459-12035627-image-a-63_1682990446790.jpg)
It comes as an insider shed new details on the frantic scramble at Channel 10 after network executives learned of MasterChef Zonfrillo’s shock death on the eve of the new season going to air. Pictured with his co-hosts Melissa Leong (right) and Andy Allen (left)
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