When Jock Zonfrillo passed away in May 2023, his friend and fellow Masterchef judge Andy Allen was devastated.
But what happened next was a testament to their strong bond and Andy’s compassion.
In a recent podcast, Andy revealed the secret plan he made with Jock’s wife Lauren when he first heard of his passing. It’s a story that will leave you emotional and inspired.
The Shocking News
Andy recalled the moment he found out about Jock’s death, saying it was a shock that he would never want to relive.
“I was with him the day before, I was the last person to see him, I had lunch [with him]. And then C) for it to play out in the public eye, it was crazy.
The first 24 hours was something that I would never want to relive in my life.”
The Call That Changed Everything
Lauren Zonfrillo called Andy in the early hours of the morning to tell him the news.
“I remember Loz calling me from Rome, because the last bit of publicity that Jock had to do was on the launch day… and then Jock was on a plane to go and live in Rome for six months with the kids, and this was their dream to set up six [months] in Australia, six [months] in Rome…
They’d been working on that for such a long time,” Andy continued.
Andy’s Brave Face
Andy told the podcast that he put on a brave face and did the interviews, all the while knowing his friend had just passed away.
“I was trying so hard to get in the zone and get done what I needed to do, and somehow did this press until nine o’clock and obviously hadn’t told anyone, and that was like step one, get that done, then start the grieving process.”
Supporting Jock’s Family
Andy made sure he was there for Jock’s family for whatever they needed and also played an important role in his friend’s funeral.
“Jock’s funeral was another tough one, but I’m proud of the part that I could play – for Loz to go, ‘Stand next to Ava, if she needs you to take over, take over,’ and the absolute legend crushed it, she didn’t need me.”
The Grief that Followed
It wasn’t until months later, when Andy and his wife were holidaying in Europe, that the grief fully hit him. “I just broke down,” he said.
“And I think from then on, I wasn’t okay, I realised I wasn’t a great husband, I wasn’t good to the people that are around me.
And I just think it was because of that first period of just, like, looking out for everyone else, making sure that they’re okay, I realised that I hadn’t really grieved myself.”
Remembering Jock
In an interview with 7NEWS Spotlight in May, Andy said he still thinks about his friend every day. “I always think of him.
And I miss him, I miss him so much. It’s crazy that that never goes,” he said. “That being reminded of him wherever I go and no matter what I do, it is still as strong as the day that he passed two years ago.”