MasterChef Junior competitor Ben Watkins died on Monday (November 16).
As per reports, the young chef died at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago after battling a rare illness known as Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma. The condition has only been diagnosed to six people in the world, per the family's attorney, Trent A. McCain. If you remember correctly, Watkins competed during season six of the Gordon Ramsay-hosted competition show, which aired on FOX.
The Watkins family released a statement on his death via a GoFundMe page, reading, "Our Ben went home to be with his mother Monday afternoon after a year-and-a-half-long battle with Cancer. Ben was and will always be the strongest person we know. When Ben's rare illness was shared with the world, he was so heartened by the outpouring of love he received from every corner of the globe-- especially here in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. We cannot thank this community enough for holding our family up in prayer and for all that you've done."
Back in 2017, Watkin's parents died in a murder-suicide, which happened just months before his season of MasterChef Junior premiered. He had since been cared for by his uncle as he underwent chemotherapy for tumors in his lung, spine and shoulder.
Meanwhile, Ramsay paid tribute to the young chief on his Twitter. "We lost a Master of the @MasterChefJrFOX kitchen today," he captioned a shot of Watkins. "Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered. Sending all the love to Ben Watkins’ family with this terrible loss."
Additionally, FOX and distribution company, EndemolShine North America, released a joint statement on Watkins' death. "It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Ben Watkins, a beloved member of the MasterChef Junior family," the statement read. "Ben overcame so much in his life with a remarkably positive attitude. He was a tremendous role model for chefs of all ages and will be dearly missed by everyone at EndemolShine North America and FOX Entertainment."
Photo: FOX