BEN’S SHOCK ARREST
Masterchef fans were left stunned when judge Jock revealed ice-cream master Ben Ungermann had left the competition due to “a personal matter”. But it wasn’t long before it was revealed the father-of-three had been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl while the show was filming in Melbourne. Victoria police confirmed detectives from the Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team charged a 36-year-old man with two counts of sexual assault on March 6. The Queensland-based chef has been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 25. The popular cook was noticeably absent from the show’s Twist Week, when singer Katy Perry made a surprise visit. Ben has denied the allegations, sharing a screenshot on Twitter from his lawyer Adam Houda. “I act for Ben Ungermann,” Adam wrote. “Allegations against my client are vehemently denied and will be defended.”