Returning MasterChef star Ben Ungermann leaves the upcoming season of the hit cooking series after being ARRESTED over what the show has described as a ‘personal’ matter
He’s a MasterChef favourite, but fans shouldn’t expect to see 2017 runner-up Ben Ungermann back on the show this year.
Although the 34-year-old was set to return to the Channel 10 cooking series for the upcoming season, he’s been removed from the series after being arrested.
In a statement to the Herald Sun on Friday, a spokesperson for Endemol Shine, the production company behind the long-running reality series, described his arrest as being ‘of a personal nature’.
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Gone but not forgotten: He’s a MasterChef favourite, but fans shouldn’t expect to see 2017 runner-up Ben Ungermann (pictured) back on the show this year
‘We can confirm Ben Ungermann has left the MasterChef Australia competition,’ they added.
‘As this is a police matter, we will not be making further comment.’
After winning legions of fans during the show’s 2017 season, Ben was set to make a highly anticipated return to the series’ 2020 season, themed Back to Win.
Undercooked: Although the 34-year-old was set to return to the Channel 10 cooking series for the upcoming season, he’s been removed from the series after being arrested
But he has been noticeably absent from filming at Melbourne’s Showgrounds, after filming began back in January.
Filming is continuing without him, despite him featuring in a teaser trailer for the upcoming series, which will start in April.
Since appearing on MasterChef Australia in 2017, Ben has also featured on MasterChef Holland and MasterChef Indonesia.
Keeping it private: In a statement to the Herald Sun on Friday, a spokesperson for Endemol Shine described his arrest as being ‘of a personal nature’
He also runs the Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream Parlour with his younger brother, Danny.
He seemed exciting to be returning to the series, sharing a publicity photo of himself from the show on Instagram in February.
‘IM [sic] BACK! BACK TO WIN MASTERCHEF 2020 stay tuned fam x,’ he captioned the photo, adding a love heart emoji.
Hard times: He hinted at personal troubles, sharing a sombre black and white photo of himself on Instagram on Friday
But he hinted at personal troubles, sharing a sombre black and white photo of himself on Instagram on Friday.
‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have,’ he captioned the photo.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 for comment.
Getting the scoop: Ben runs the Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream Parlour with his younger brother, Danny