Lauren Zonfrillo reveals Jock Zonfrillo's final words he wrote in journal
Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of former MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo, has revealed her husband's final words were about 'how happy' he was to create their young family.
The 46-year-old Scottish chef was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room in April 2023.
His cause of death has never been revealed.
In an exclusive interview with 7NEWS Spotlight to air on Sunday, Lauren speaks about discovering Jock's journal and reading his final words.
'Jock had journalled for a period of time,' she told Seven's Liz Hayes.
'It meant a lot to me reading . . . (about) such a normal conversation, but I got his version.
'It was kind of this encouragement to say, you've got this Lauren, there's been many times where I've (felt like) I haven't got this.'
Lauren — who was in Italy at the time of Jock's death — reportedly asked police to conduct a welfare check after failing to contact him.
The couple had relocated to Rome with their young children, Alfie and Isla, with Jock travelling back to Australia to film MasterChef.
'He wrote in his journal how he's so happy that we were finding our feet and he was excited about creating these little Aussie-Italian-Scottish children . . . and what Isla's accent was going to be like when she starts talking full sentences,' Lauren said.
'He always liked to put the kids to bed at night, he did all the voices with the books and so he just wrote about missing those thing and how he looked forward to getting there (to Italy where the kids were),' she said.
'He wrote . . . 'Lauren didn't see herself, but I think she's just doing so much, but she's so capable and I'm really proud that she can do those hard things as well', and that's meant a lot to me now.'
Fellow MasterChef judge and friend Andy Allen said he could feel 'hairs standing up' reflecting on the last time they were together.
The paid dined together the day before Jock's passing.
'I still remember that call I got from Lauren in the early hours of that morning and saying that Jock had passed ... grief hit me straight away,' Allen told Spotlight.
'As soon as I got off the phone, I ran straight to the bathroom and I vomited everywhere.
'It hit me then and there straight away.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
5 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Rock star vibes: Sky home is ‘bold, luxurious, and unapologetically different'
A glamorous sky home complete with a cinema, sauna, marble-encased bath and hidden lingerie closet has hit the market with a $2.6m plus price tag. The party pad on the Gold Coast is described by Smith & Co director Shannon Smith as having rock star edge with its bold industrial styling. 'This isn't your typical white-on-white coastal apartment,' said Mr Smith. 'It's been designed for someone who wants to make a statement — it's bold, luxurious, and unapologetically different.' The boutique Broadwater sub-penthouse at 6/446 Marine Pde, Biggera Waters takes up the entire sixth floor of the boutique LUXE on Marine building. The three-bedroom 241 sqm residence has undergone a 12-month renovation to set it apart from the typical coastal home. MORE: Theme park legend's crypto hideaway hits the market Zac Efron's Aussie long lunch haunt is on the market With a private lift entry, sweeping Broadwater views, and interiors that fuse polished concrete, black steel and warm textures, the his home is anything but ordinary. 'This home will suit a discerning buyer — an executive couple, someone relocating from Sydney or Melbourne, or a local downsizer who still wants wow-factor and space,' Mr Smith said. 'It's luxurious, low-maintenance, and unlike anything else on the market.' The main bedroom includes a lavish primary suite with marble-encased bath, walk-in robe and hidden lingerie closet. '(The lingerie closet) is a mirror in the bedroom which is a push to open, and has a cupboard behind it,' he said. 'Inside it looks like a rack from Honey Birdette with beautiful hangers and every piece hanging up. 'It does seem odd to hear, but when you see it – it just makes sense. 'It would be a great hidden shoe/sneaker cupboard as well – whatever you treasure. 'The hidden aspect adds to the fun and glamour of the home.' The kitchen has premium Gaggenau appliances and a butler's pantry while the cinema has velvet-draped walls and tiered seating. There is also a 32sq m northeast-facing balcony that offers uninterrupted Broadwater views. Property records reveal the apartment last changed hands for $1.38m in 2012 while it was listed for rent in 2018 at $1050 per week. PropTrack data shows the median unit price in Biggera Waters is $700,000, up 10.9 per cent over 12 months.
7NEWS
14 hours ago
- 7NEWS
‘What's the point?': Aussie Larissa Kay questions if university degrees pay off in the housing crisis
A young Aussie's rant about the cost of living crisis has gone viral on TikTok as she poses the question 'what's the point?'. Larissa Kay posted a string of videos, with the first amassing 880,000 views, talking about the issues young Australians face and how she hasn't gotten where she wanted to be in life. 'Is anyone else kind of like what's the point, if you're maybe in your 20's, your 30's... and you've finished school, gone to uni, got a degree, which is meant to get you a good job,' she said online. Loading TikTok Post 'That job is meant to pay for a house, and maybe a holiday once a year, and maybe have some kids. 'And that's not happening now, you're kind of like, what's the actual point of anything.' It's a confronting question for many during the cost of living crisis Australian's face, as inflation continues to increase the prices of goods, services and housing costs. The video then moved towards self-reflection, as the TikTokker ranted about where she was at in life. 'I'm 28 and I thought by now I might have a three bedroom house, maybe thinking about kids, maybe be successful in my career,' she said. 'I live in a tiny f**k ass studio... I moved regional to try and save money and there's no jobs out here. 'It's made me reassess my whole life, what am I doing? Should I just go travelling?' In a follow up video, the blame is put back on the system with frustrations over people struggling to find jobs. While questioning the point of going to university. 'Australia is bloody cooked,' Kay said. 'If people are working harder than ever and most people I know, they're working their full time job, they've got a couple of side hustles, and they still can't afford a house. 'We have a serious problem and people who are university qualified - I'm talking engineers, doctors, lawyers, healthcare professionals, teachers - people who are in high demand. 'These people can't afford to live where they are required to work, that is a serious issue, no wonder productivity is down.' Housing prices continue to be an issue, with Perth seeing a 18 per cent increase in median house prices over the past 12 months - and showing no signs of slowing down. Comments echoed the videos opinion about the struggles young Australians face in today's economy. 'We have a doctor and lawyer in the family and they can't afford houses in Sydney where they work,' a comment said. 'Uni is the biggest lie young people have ever been sold,' another followed up. 'Our parents and grandparents still don't realise how good they had it,' a third said. 'The fact 'side hustles' has become the norm to just stay afloat is wild. Heaven forbid you thought your job you earn a salary from should support you alone,' one pointed out.
Courier-Mail
20 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Julia Savage talks 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussie actress Julia Savage is just 18 years old, but already she has marked more than a decade in the industry. The teenager has a Best Actress AACTA nomination under her belt for her incredible performance in the 2022 psychological drama Blaze, and has starred opposite leading Australian actors Simon Baker and Guy Pearce. Savage will now appear alongside fellow AACTA nominee Teresa Palmer and British actor Jim Sturgess in the upcoming four-part Aussie miniseries Mix Tape, which premieres on BINGE on June 12. And even though she began acting at seven years old, starring on hits such as The Clearing and Mr Inbetween, the young star doesn't take any of it for granted and is always ready to give it her all. Julia Savage stars in the upcoming Binge Original Series Mix Tape. Picture: LisaThe 18-year-old has been in the acting industry since she was seven years old. Picture:'Every time I'm on a set and I'm lucky enough to be invited to come on, I'm so grateful,' she told from the Sydney set. 'I've been very lucky to grow up in an environment surrounded by adults who are validating me in my craft and following creative physics pursuits and my passions. But sets are my favourite place in the world. It's something I'm very lucky to be able to do at the level and with the people that I do.' In Mix Tape, Palmer and Sturgess play former 80s high-school sweethearts Alison and Daniel who are now living in Sydney and Sheffield, respectively, but reconnect in the modern world through songs from their shared past. Stream Mix Tape on BINGE from June 12, available on Hubbl. The cast of Mix Tape (from left to right) Ben Lawson, Julia Savage, Teresa Palmer, Jim Sturgess, Chika Ikogwe and Jacqueline McKenzie filmed for 12 days in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Photo credit BINGE Savage plays Alison's daughter Stella, who triggers her memories about Daniel. And when a chance encounter brings the former flames together after 20 years, they are forced to confront their past. Savage and Palmer filmed intensely for 12 days in Sydney and the NSW Southern Highlands before production on the Lucy Gaffy-directed film moved to Dublin, Ireland. The filming schedule was intense, but Savage was ready to do the hard work on the miniseries, which is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Jane Sanderson. Filming of the flashback scenes then took place in Dublin with Rory Walton-Smith and Florence Hunt playing the younger versions of Palmer and Sturgess' characters. Photo: Binge 'It has been a whirlwind, but it's been amazing. I just take it one day at a time every day and do the best I can do,' Savage said. 'I think in an industry where the projects you create can't go forward without every single person giving their 100 per cent, it's so important to remember that this really is the most collaborative kind of art you can make and it's the most labour-intensive art you can make. 'I think remembering that and remembering that everyone here is doing a job and they're all here to make art and make something beautiful.' Sturgess and Palmer play high school sweethearts Daniel and Alison who reconnect through songs from their past. Picture: Binge Young Alison (Hunt) and Daniel (Walton-Smith) fall in love as teenagers before life takes them in different directions. Picture: Supplied Naturally, Palmer – a soon to be mum-of-five – took Savage under her wing on set and the young star can't sing her praises enough. 'Teresa is one of the most beautiful people inside and out. She's really a ray of sunshine. She always makes me laugh on set,' Savage said. 'In terms of having to play mother-daughter, it's always felt very easy with Theresa. It's never felt there was anything forced and there was always just this amazing sense of trust between us and I'm really grateful to have had that.' Savage puts on an incredible performance as Palmer's troubled daughter Stella in the miniseries. Picture: Binge Palmer's Alison is triggered by Stella's circumstances and grows nostalgic of her life with Daniel. Picture: Binge And it's not just Palmer who has given Savage some sage advice on set. The rising star says Simon Baker was a great father-figure three years ago when they filmed Blaze, where she played a young girl who, after witnessing a violent event summons an imaginary dragon to help her process her trauma. 'When I worked with him on Blaze, he was very nurturing as my father,' she said. 'I've learned a lot of amazing things from the actors I've worked with. They've given me lots of life lessons, especially to do with my craft. I really take with me things like pause, take your time and to not think about what's going on around me and just do what I'm here to do.' Savage and Simon Baker in the 2022 film Blaze, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the AACTAs. Picture: Causeway films 'It's been very validating, especially in an industry where I'm usually the youngest person on set, to have older actors trusting me and trusting what I'm doing and helping me to do the work.' Despite her success at such a young age, Savage says she has faced her fair share of criticism. But she drowns out the noise by surrounding herself with the right people. 'I'm younger, so there's obviously a little bit of scepticism regarding whether I'm happy doing what I'm doing,' she said. 'I can attest to the fact that I definitely love this job, but it's definitely something that you learn to deal with. 'But everyone's been super supportive. It's amazing to have such a strong foundation of support, be it on crew, be it your family, be it your friends. It's a very valuable thing to have.' Mix Tape premieres Thursday, June 12 at 8:30pm on BINGE, available on Hubbl and watch On Demand on Foxtel Originally published as Rising star Julia Savage talks 'whirlwind' 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
