Mystery surrounding Ben Ungermann’s MasterChef exit takes yet another twist… following his arrest in March over a ‘personal matter’
MasterChef viewers were baffled by Ben Ungermann’s exit on Sunday night, after judge Jock Zonfrillo briefly told contestants he’d left over a ‘personal matter’.
The 33-year-old has since turned all comments off on his recent Instagram posts, meaning fans are unable to discuss his departure.
Meanwhile, Ben is the only contestant the official MasterChef Instagram account is not following, which suggests he may have blocked them.
Silence: MasterChef’s Ben Ungermann (pictured) has turned the comments off on his recent Instagram posts amid his TV exit, causing more confusion as fans can’t discuss his departure
It was reported on March 24 that Ben had been arrested over a ‘personal matter’ during filming, prompting a spokesperson for Endemol Shine to issue a statement.
‘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 said.
MasterChef producers reportedly held crisis talks that month following the incident.
What happened? Meanwhile, Ben is the only contestant the official MasterChef Australia Instagram account is not following, suggesting he may have blocked them
Executives called the show’s editors into an ’emergency meeting’ and told them to ‘cut him out the best you can’, according to New Idea.
The incident apparently came as a shock to network bosses, with a source saying: ‘No one could have imagined something like that would ever happen.’
Ben himself has acknowledged his infrequent appearances on screen, saying in an Instagram post that ‘it’s up to MasterChef’ what happens in the editing suite.
‘He has left the competition’: It was reported on March 24 that Ben had been arrested over a ‘personal matter’ while filming, prompting producers Endemol Shine to issue a statement
‘Due to a personal matter’: On Sunday’s episode of MasterChef, judge Jock Zonfrillo (pictured) announced to the group that Ben had left the competition for good
On Sunday’s episode of MasterChef, Scottish-born restaurateur Jock announced to the group that Ben had left the competition for good.
He said: ‘So, before we get to today’s challenge, we’ve got some news. You’re probably wondering where Ben is, yeah? Due to a personal matter, Ben has had to leave the competition and he will not be returning.’
The contestants looked shocked, but the episode moved on with no further mention of the issue.
Moving on: The contestants looked shocked, with no further mention of the issue after that
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment.
Viewers had concluded on Thursday that Ben’s arrest must have happened right before pop star Katy Perry filmed her guest appearance in March.
This is because he was noticeably absent from that episode, despite every other contestant being summoned to the kitchen.