MasterChef Australia: The most mysterious disappearances over the years

Pete Campbell — Season 17 

At the beginning of Episode 3 on MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, judge Andy Allen told the contestants why Pete Campbell was absent from the kitchen. 

“Due to personal reasons, Pete is unable to continue in the competition, and we wish him nothing but the best,” Andy said. 

Channel 10 and Pete later confirmed it was due to a cancer diagnosis that he needed to seek treatment for. 

“During production of MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, Pete Campbell received a diagnosis that required him to step away from the competition to focus on his health,” a MasterChef Australia spokesperson said. 

Savindri ‘Sav’ Perera — Season 16

During MasterChef Australia 2024, contestants were sent to Hong Kong for an epic immunity challenge and to learn from some top chefs in the foodie city.

However, Savindri ‘Sav’ Perera was missing, with many fans wondering what had happened.

Andy told the cooks Sav wouldn’t be joining them in Hong Kong due to “personal reasons”. 

“Look guys, unfortunately for some personal reasons, Sav won’t be able to join us this week, but we’ll be seeing her when we get back into the MasterChef kitchen,” he said. 

Sav addressed her absence on Instagram, saying: “Not being in HK with the rest of the guys wasn’t easy, but life happens and I am happy to be back in the MasterChef Australia kitchen after being thoroughly loved and supported by my loved ones in South Australia.”

“Thank you for everyone who checked in and thank you for respecting my privacy.”

Josh ‘Pezza’ Perry — Season 16

Season 16 seemed to have a bunch of mysterious absences, with Josh ‘Pezza’ Perry also skipping two challenges. It turned out he was ill and unable to compete.

“Josh Perry was unwell and absent from the MasterChef Australia kitchen for two challenges. As per competition protocol following a missed elimination challenge, Josh went straight into the next elimination challenge upon his return,” a Channel 10 spokesperson said.

Lourdes Leschen — Season 16

During a MasterChef Australia redemption cook involving previously eliminated contestants, there were two that didn’t show up. Lourdes Leschen was nowhere to be seen, and she told Yahoo! Lifestyle it was due to medical reasons. 

“I had an important surgery that was unable to be missed,” she explained.

Stephen Dennis — Season 16

Stephen Dennis also didn’t turn up for the MasterChef Australia redemption cook, and he shared the sad reason why.

“My mother is in hospital and is very unwell,” he told Yahoo! Lifestyle at the time. “My father passed away during Covid, so I need to support my mother and it would be unfair on my family to return to filming with this in mind.”

Rhiannon Anderson — Season 15

Near the prickly end of MasterChef Australia in 2023, fans were baffled when only four contestants took place in a final five immunity challenge.

Judge Melissa Leong sadly revealed that Rhiannon Anderson wouldn’t be taking part due to illness, putting her at a bit of a disadvantage.

“Unfortunately Rhiannon isn’t feeling well today so she won’t be joining us, which sadly also means she’s out of the running for the immunity challenge tomorrow,” she said at the time.

Alice Han, Antonio Cruz Vaamonde, Cath Collins, Declan Cleary, Jessica Perri, Larissa Sewell, Rhiannon Anderson and Theo Loizou — Season 15

Rhiannon also went missing during an earlier episode of MasterChef Australia 2023, alongside seven other cooks. Alice Han, Antonio Cruz Vaamonde, Cath Collins, Declan Cleary, Jessica Perri, Larissa Sewell, Theo Loizou and Rhiannon were absent from a challenge, which had to be altered due to Covid.

With half of the cast out sick, the challenge was split into two groups.

“Welcome to a brand new week in the MasterChef kitchen,” Melissa said. “As you can see, a couple more contestants are missing today. Covid strikes again. But, in lighter news, you guys have survived your first elimination!”

Brent Draper — Season 13

MasterChef Australia fans were sad to see Brent Draper disappear from Season 13, as he seemed like a strong competitor. 

He told late judge Jock Zonfrillo he was struggling with his mental health and needed to step away from the kitchen. 

“I just need to go home, sort my mental health out,” he said. “It’s affecting my cook, my sleep, just everything. I don’t want to [leave] but I think it’s the only thing [I can do] I think I’ve come to the point where that’s all that’s going to help me.”

However, Brent ended up coming back for MasterChef Australia Season 15 and walked away with the title and $250,000. We love a redemption story!

Ben Ungermann — Season 12

All of the previously eliminated MasterChef Australia: Back To Win 2020 contestants returned for the grand finale — except for Ben Ungermann and Brendan Pang. While Brendan was simply stopped by Western Australia’s Covid lockdown policies, Ben’s disappearance was due to a more sinister reason.

In February 2020, the MasterChef Australia contestant was accused of sexual assault and charged with two counts over an alleged encounter. He later admitted to common law assault against a 16-year-old girl in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, and he was given diversion. There was no recording of conviction or finding of guilt.

Production company Endemol Shine released a short statement at the time, saying: “We can confirm Ben Ungermann has left the MasterChef Australia competition. As this is a police matter, we will not be making further comment.”