MasterChef finally addresses Ben Ungermann’s sudden disappearance from the show

Ben Ungermann was absent from Thursday night’s immunity challenge on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win. 

And on Sunday’s episode, the judges finally addressed the chef’s controversial departure.

As the contestants filed in for their challenge, judge Jock Zonfrillo announced to the group that Ben was out for good. 

He said simply: ‘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,’ he added. 

The contestants looked shocked, however the episode moved on with no further mention of the issue. 

It comes after MasterChef producers reportedly held crisis talks in March following Ben’s arrest over a personal matter during filming.

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.’  

On Thursday, viewers concluded that Ben’s arrest must have happened right before Katy Perry  filmed her guest appearance. 

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. 

News of Ben’s arrest surfaced on March 24, prompting a spokesperson for Endemol Shine to issue a brief statement to the media.

‘We can confirm Ben Ungermann has left the MasterChef Australia competition. As this is a police matter, we will not be making further comment.’

MasterChef continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 10