Jock Zonfrillo dead: Behind the scenes at Channel 10 before network revealed ... trends now An insider has shed new details on the frantic scramble at Channel 10 after network executives learned of Masterchef judge Jock Zonfrillo's shock death on the eve of the new season going to air. 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. 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. 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. Entertainment commentator Peter Ford has weighed in on how Channel 10's carefully managed handling ensured the news remained under wraps for 12 hours. Channel Ten executives were in a frenzy on Monday morning to manage the news of Jock Zonfrillo's shock death, which stayed under wraps for 12 hours. Pictured is Zonfrillo with his MasterChef co-stars Andy Allen and Melissa Leong 'When executives and the producers of the show were notified, they knew they had probably six to eight hours up their sleeve to do the things they needed to do... including getting his wife and two youngest children on flights back to Australia,' he told Sunrise on Tuesday. 'They were in Rome so you can imagine the grief of being in a strange country and being told that Jock was dead. 'So they got them onto the flight; they then prepared statements (and) cancelled all publicity engagements for the judges. 'There were a lot of radio producers who were cursing Jock's name and Channel 10 publicity because they were told the interviews were off and no one thought too much about it except, for the producers. 'Then it became obvious the severity and the tragedy of the situation around about 2pm yesterday when Channel 10 put out the statement to announce he'd gone.' The network took control of Zonfrillo's social media accounts and those of the other MasterChef judges as pre-scheduled posts promoted the season premiere. 'It looked like people were still tweeting or putting things up on social media when in fact, they weren't; it was already pre-organised,' Ford said. 'All of that was a masterclass, the way they did it and at the same time keeping it all under wraps.' Zonfrillo's wife Lauren and two youngest children were holidaying in Italy when they made the mercy dash home to Australia in wake of the celebrity chef's sudden death The airing of the 15th season of MasterChef Australia has been postponed for at least a week. 'It will definitely continue, the whole show is in the can with everything filmed,' Ford said. 'It's obviously pulled for this week at this stage. They say it's going to air next week, it's uncharted territory basically as to whether audiences are going to be comfortable watching the show.' Zonfrillo, who joined MasterChef Australia alongside Leong and Allen in 2019, was scheduled to appear on The Project on Monday night to speak about the new season's premiere. Peter Ford has hailed Channel 10's handling of the tragedy as a masterclass No cause of death has been disclosed. A Victoria Police spokesperson said while a report would be prepared for the coroner, Zonfrillo's death was not being treated as suspicious. Zonfrillo is survived by his wife Lauren and four children Ava, Sophie, Alfie and Isla. 'With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,' a family's statement read. 'So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky. 'We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.' Channel 10 took over the social media accounts of Zonfrillo (right) and his MasterChef co-stars Melissa Leong and Andy Allen (pictured) All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility