GARY Rhodes, known as an ambassador for British cuisine, has died in Dubai at the age of 59, his family has confirmed.
But who was the celebrity chef and British restaurateur, dubbed the "chef's chef"?
Famous for his gelled spiked hair - as well as his prowess in the kitchen - Gary Rhodes was a household name in the early 2000s.
He starred in programmes such as MasterChef, Hell's Kitchen and also fronted his own cooking shows.
Gary was known for his love of British cuisine and earned a record five Michelin Stars throughout his career.
In 2008 he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing but was the third celebrity to be voted off after he was slated by the judges for having footwork that was "flat as a pancake".
He was the author of more than 18 cookery books and was consistently dubbed "The Chef's Chef" by his peers.
Gary left the UK in around 2010 to set up a new life in Dubai and owned a steakhouse restaurant called Rhodes Twenty10.
According to his official website, Gary had a "tireless attention to detail and unique mastery of the Great British classics".
Born in London on April 22, 1960, he spent most of his childhood years in Kent, and began "experimenting in the kitchen as a teen".
His website explains that Gary has cooked on almost every continent for royalty, prime ministers and presidents.
It says: "He has cooked on the QE2, the Orient Express and for the troops in Basra.
"He has achieved many personal ambitions including cooking for Princess Diana, Tom Hanks, the Jordan Formula One team, the British team at Le Mans, and for his beloved Manchester United."
In 2006, Gary was honoured with an OBE for services to the hospitality industry.
The chef collapsed at home in Dubai and died from a head injury on November 26, 2019.
He had just eaten dinner with his wife telling a friend that "life couldn't be better".
The death of the dad-of-two is said to have come as a shock to his loved ones.
The family released a statement following speculation over his death: "In order to end painful speculation surrounding the sudden passing of our beloved Gary Rhodes OBE, the Rhodes family can confirm that after a successful day shooting with Rock Oyster Media for ITV here in Dubai, Gary returned home in a very happy mood for a peaceful evening with his wife Jennie.
"After dinner, Gary unfortunately collapsed in their residence and was rushed to hospital but unfortunately passed away due to subdural hematoma.
"At this time, there are no other details and the family would again request privacy around this very tragic loss and again, thank friends and family for their ongoing support at this time."
There was speculation among catering workers in Dubai, where he was staying at the Grosvenor House Hotel, that he may have slipped in the shower and banged his head.
Fellow chef Vineet Bhatia, who was filming with Gary Rhodes last week in Dubai, said Rhodes was fit and healthy and his last words to him were "life couldn't be better".
Rock Oyster Media and Goldfinch TV told PA news agency they were "devastated".
They added: "Gary was in the middle of filming a wonderful new series with Rock Oyster Media for ITV from his base in Dubai.
"Gary was taken ill very suddenly at home during a break in filming and died a short time afterwards.
"Production was obviously halted as soon as Gary was taken ill and members of the Rock Oyster Team remain in Dubai to support the family as best they can."
Son George Rhodes uploaded a picture of him with his dad, both wearing suits with a blue heart emoji caption underneath.
In 2017, during an interview in Dubai with , Gary said that when he started working in kitchens during college "in the '70s", he "never considered any sort of celebrity status, or aspire to financial success" as it was all about love of the job.
"You were a cook down in the dungeons and you had to get on with it.
"Money's always been secondary," he added.
Website suggests that Gary is a multi-millionaire, with a net worth of £9million - but this hasn't been verified.
The chef's brother Chris Rhodes tweeted that he had "not only lost a brother but a best friend too".
He said: "Gary you will always be by my side, in my thoughts but most of all in my heart.
"The times I have spent with you have been some of the most special of my life. Rest in Peace beloved man - love you always."
Gordon Ramsay said: "We lost a fantastic chef today in Gary Rhodes.
"He was a chef who put British Cuisine on the map.
"Sending all the love and prayers to your wife and kids. You’ll be missed Gx"
Chef Tom Kerridge described Rhodes as "one of the greatest British chefs who almost single handedly put British food on the world stage".
Brian Turner paid tribute to a "true friend" and James Martin said he was a "gent and genius".
The Dubai British School Jumeirah Park tweeted: "We are truly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Chef Gary Rhodes OBE.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this most tragic of times.
"His memory will forever live on at our school through the Food Technology Suite, named in his honour."
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