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Gordon Ramsay on his year in the wilderness

Gordon Ramsay as a Terminator
  • Posted at 1:59pm
  • 27 October 2009
  • by PaulJones-RT
  • 9 comments

"I'll be back!" claims a battered cyborg version of Gordon Ramsay on the cover of the latest edition of Radio Times. And inside, the beleaguered TV chef defends himself against the volley of scandal and criticism he's been hit with in recent months.

Over the last year, Ramsay has faced potential bankruptcy and investigation by the Inland Revenue, accusations of infidelity and, not least, criticisms about his food…

The fact that Ramsay supplies his restaurants with some pre-prepared ingredients from a centralised kitchen has led to accusations that he is serving "ready meals". But he insists customers are not being shortchanged: "Guys, get real. We also supply high-octane restaurants that I'll never admit to. You'd freak out if you knew which they were."

And what of claims by the prestigious Harden's food guide that the chef should spend less time on television and more in the kitchen? "I'm fortunate outside my cooking career to have parallel TV earnings to invest in the business," says Ramsay. "It's bulls*** to say I spend too much time on TV. Does it put you off the Fat Duck because Heston [Blumenthal] develops crisps for Walkers?"

Meanwhile, Ramsay has vigorously denied having a seven-year affair with author Sarah Symonds. How have he and his wife Tana coped with the press onslaught? "We had a lot of scrutiny[…] We have a right to a private life, but that hurricane made us incredibly closer with the support of friends like David and Victoria [Beckham] and our families."

"We stopped reading newspapers. Tana's signed up for [ITV1 show] Dancing on Ice and already jibes have started - she's called 'Clingon', 'Gordon's little limpet'. Holy mackerel! Some women columnists are much more vicious than men. Bitter. Vindictive. But Tana's resilient[…] I'm looking forward to her dancing because she has the bum of an 18-year-old."

One accusation that Ramsay doesn't deny is that he's used medical procedures to lessen the trademark grooves in his chin. "My mother said they were smile lines. I could deal with that at 21, but not at 42. Simon Cowell suggested that now I'm a success in America, I should do something, so I had a filler put under the deep crevices. It hurt."

And as a new series of his Channel 4 show Gordon Ramsay's F Word begins (9:00pm, Tuesday 3 November), what of Ramsay's penchant for that eponymous profanity? "Sometimes I don't know what's coming out. It doesn't make my mum proud, so for the first time in my life I've made a conscious effort to cut back. If there was another word, I'd use it."

**

Are you looking forward to Gordon's return to our screens? Or have you had your fill? Ramsay fan or not, post a comment below and let us know.

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Comments

  • Posted on 07 November 2009
  • at 4:24am
  • by duckydoo

I love Gordon Ramsey!!!! p>

  • Posted on 03 November 2009
  • at 7:25pm
  • by Maggie

Isn't it about time we all realised that G Ramsey is another TV personality. He is paid to stir people up. His job is to make you react. He certainly does that! If you can't stand the heat.............?

  • Posted on 02 November 2009
  • at 3:38pm
  • by Caz

Needs to drop the attitude and bad language

  • Posted on 01 November 2009
  • at 11:44am
  • by MazY

I like Gordon and I always have. However, I recall, quite clearly, the days when he would routinely slate the likes of Antony Worrall Thompson and Jamie Oliver for being on television so much. I knew, as everyone else did, that he too would eventually end up selling his soul to television. In fact, I could argue he has done so to a much greater degree than either Jamie or Antony ever did - he has sold his soul to American television where he has become a pathetic caricature of himself.

All that said, I would miss his charisma on our screens. I just think he needed a dose of hardened reality to bring him back down to earth again.

  • Posted on 31 October 2009
  • at 12:32pm
  • by Zob

Long live Ramsay, it will be great to see him back on TV; it's sad that any popular personality who doesn't conform to establishment expectations has to suffer malicious criticisms like those mentioned. I as once told (by a teacher): "Those that can, do. Those that cannot, teach. Those that can't teach become critics."

  • Posted on 28 October 2009
  • at 3:47pm
  • by salt & pepa

Its good to see Gordon back on the box dishing up bowls of criticism for the not so faint hearted. He has had a number private issues raised in the public domain but his professionalism and dedication to his job will in the end have many of us watching and smiling while he loses his crackers over an overcooked parsnip. Roll up and roll on Tuesday to what should be nothing less than expected from an individual with bouts of skill and charisma.

  • Posted on 28 October 2009
  • at 1:43pm
  • by filauge

I love him, good to have him back.

  • Posted on 28 October 2009
  • at 11:25am
  • by Simmo

I love Gordons TV shows and his personal life is his personal life ..its private and his business and doesn't affect the great TV shows he' in..Besides,i'd love to have a closer look at the personal lives of some of his so say critics!!!:o)

  • Posted on 26 October 2009
  • at 7:14pm
  • by debbie Knorz

Sorry but I still think Alesha is out of her depth, but it is not likely they will substitute her for somebody who knows what they are talking about at this late stage - bring back Arlene!

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