02 May 2023, Mumbai: Jock Zonfrillo, one of the judges of MasterChef Australia, had privately fought against cancer before his untimely death on April 30. The 46-year-old chef was discovered dead in a Melbourne hotel room at around 2 am.
Although a spokesperson from the Victoria Police reportedly stated that Jock Zonfrillo’s death is not considered suspicious, only those who were close to him were aware of his battle with the illness.
Media reports indicate that Jock Zonfrillo had been undergoing treatment for bowel cancer since June 2021, as per a report disclosed that the cancer was discovered during a colonoscopy in May 2021.
Sources cited in the report reveal that Jock Zonfrillo had not disclosed his health condition to anyone in his circle, including colleagues and friends. He chose to keep his battle with cancer private as he dealt with the challenges of the journey. The report further indicates that Zonfrillo was struggling with the effects of chemotherapy treatment.
Jock Zonfrillo received medical care at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney and Epworth Oncology in Melbourne, according to the report. During the filming of the second series of Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, he underwent chemotherapy treatment.
According to the report, Jock Zonfrillo had previously received treatment for bowel cancer prior to 2016. However, when the cancer returned in 2021, it was more aggressive. As a result of the chemotherapy treatment, Zonfrillo experienced weight loss, nausea, and excessive vomiting.
Although Jock Zonfrillo has not referenced his battle with cancer in 2021 in his memoir, Last Shot, he has discussed his past struggles with heroin addiction during his youth in Glasgow.