Stéphane Blancafort, a familiar face to viewers of TF1's 'Ici tout commence,' will no longer be part of the culinary school drama. The actor, who portrays the character Marc Leroy, was initially removed from filming as a precautionary measure following an altercation with his real-life partner and fellow cast member, Catherine Davydzenka, back on July 17, 2026. The incident, which occurred off-set, had cast a shadow over his future with the production.

For weeks, speculation mounted regarding Blancafort's potential return, especially as his character's appearances became increasingly limited in recent episodes. However, the actor himself put an end to the uncertainty through a post on his Instagram story. Sharing a photo from the show's makeup room, he candidly addressed his fans, stating, "You are very numerous to ask me the question, so it is simpler for me to answer you in this form... Here is the last photo of Marc Leroy in the lodge." He further clarified in a comment, "I specify that this photo dates from two months ago. To this day, I am no longer part of the series."

Blancafort's final scenes as Marc Leroy are scheduled to air on Friday, September 25, 2026, on TF1. To explain the character's abrupt absence from the storyline, producers have devised a narrative where Marc Leroy embarks on a journey, effectively writing him out of future episodes.

The news was further corroborated by the series' producer, Céline François. Speaking to AlloCiné during the recent La Rochelle Festival, François reiterated TF1's official stance, confirming that Stéphane Blancafort would definitively not be returning to the daily fiction. This statement solidifies the actor's permanent exit from 'Ici tout commence' and closes the chapter on Chef Marc Leroy.

'Ici tout commence' will continue its regular broadcast schedule, airing Monday through Friday at 6:30 PM on TF1, with episodes available for early viewing or replay on the TF1+ platform.