Gordon Ramsay revealed that he underwent knee surgery after injuring himself while running and was told he had arthritis.
The 54-year-old chef, who often runs marathons and long bike rides, admitted that his doctor told him he “has to start slowing down” in a new interview with The Sun.
In addition to revealing his recent operation, Gordon also discussed David Beckham’s impressive cooking skills, saying the former footballer is a “true cook” and said he would win the Great British Bake Off if he ever appeared on the show.
“It was very painful”: Gordon Ramsay revealed he had knee surgery after injuring himself while fleeing to London, doctors told him he had arthritis
Gordon told the publication he needed surgery after he was recently injured while exercising at the London prison.
He said: “I just went out on crutches for two weeks because I had surgery on my meniscus. I did it by running up the hill in Richmond Park, lifting it. It was painful.
“And when I got the x-rays back, the doctor said, ‘You have arthritis in your knees’ … I hope I stop, but I know I’ll have to slow down at some point.”
The chef, who is notoriously active, added that he does not want to be lazy in the blockage and be upset with the world, so he made sure to continue training – calling it his “release” against the background of a busy professional life.
Big praise: The 54-year-old chef also discussed David Beckham’s impressive cooking skills, saying the former footballer is a “true chef” in a new interview (photo in 2019)
And, as if he wasn’t busy enough, Gordon also revealed that he talked about the idea of doing a food show with his good friend David Beckham.
He said: “David is a real cook. The last thing he cooked was a risotto. He took these skills to Milan, and now he is a prolific baker, and Harper is also a keen baker.
Singing praises to his friend, Gordon added that if the former footballer took part in the British Bake Off, he would definitely win the competition before adding that David has “an incredible attention to detail”.
Gordon remembered one of their weekend trips to Napa, California, saying that David often goes for a chocolate and spends hours decorating cakes.
Always on the move: Gordon is very active and often takes long bike rides, but said his doctor told him he “has to slow down” (pictured with his son Oscar last summer)
Busy Man: In addition to remaining active in the lockout, Gordon is gearing up for the launch of his new gaming show Bank Balance (pictured after a swim in the sea last summer)
Elsewhere, in his interview, Gordon admitted that he “studied” presenters Bradley Walsh and Jeremy Clarkson as he prepared to host his new gaming show Bank Balance.
And while eagerly awaiting the show’s release, Gordon acknowledged that last year’s blockages have caused “devastation” in his restaurant business.
Speaking honestly about the financial loss as well as the impact on his staff, the TV chef said he suffered a turnover of 57.5 million pounds during the pandemic.
He also acknowledged that he feels great pressure to support his staff, and especially those who are just starting out in their careers, because everyone has to make a living.
Gordon remained busy during the blockade, spending a lot of time with his children and cycling through his homes in London and Cornwall.
Friends: Singing and cooking David’s kitchens, Gordon also revealed that he talked about making a food show with the former footballer (Ramsay and Beckham seedlings are presented together in 2018)
Speaking about his family, the sympathetic father said that he wants to keep them all down and never buys his first-class teenagers on airplanes.
He also revealed that in the last four years two of his children, although he did not disclose which of them, were volunteers at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Gordon recently revealed that he had to cancel more than 22,000 bookings for his restaurants in December before England was plunged into a third blockade.
The star, who owns 35 restaurants in the UK, said the effect Covid had on the hotel industry was “devastating”, but remained optimistic that his business could be reopened by Easter.
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, Gordon said he plans to open more restaurants when the blockade is eased, following reports of the government’s plan to allow pubs and restaurants to reopen in May.
Family: Gordon is married to his wife Tana and father to twins Jack and Holly, Megan, Tilly and Oscar
Gordon acknowledged that thousands of bookings in his business were removed when December Level 3 restrictions forced many restaurants to close just weeks after reopening after the second blockage.
Weeks later, the government blocked the entire country, without setting a date when pubs and restaurants could be reopened.
He told Graham, “It’s devastating. When you think about breaking bread and having fun with friends and family, it’s tragic not to have that.
The Hell’s Kitchen star added: “When we reopened last July, the atmosphere was monumental and electrifying, we didn’t even need music, so it was hard to close.
Looking ahead: the chef recently discussed the “devastating” impact Covid has had on his restaurants and even said he intends to open even more when the blockade is eased.
“In December, our most important month, we canceled 22 and a half thousand bookings, but I was always optimistic.
“It’s hard, but we will get out of it – we have re-created, re-developed and researched new ideas, so when we get out of this blockage we will open as new restaurants. We hope to reopen for Easter. It would be a dream.
Gordon also spoke to Graham about his new BBC show Balance Balance, revealing that the series was developed during the last block.
He said: “It was developed by Zoom during the blockade this time last year, with the team spread across the country – I was in Cornwall with my dear neighbors – and I got this high pressure game to an amazing place.
“The set is really spectacular and intimidating and then you ask me the questions! It’s really interesting.
Coming soon: Gordon Bank Balance’s new show kicks off on Tuesday, with the chef recently revealing that the series was developed during the last block.