KEY POINTS:
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay cheated on his wife Tana with at least three lovers, his alleged 'professional mistress' claims in another explosive tabloid report.
Sarah Symonds has revealed more tawdry tales about her alleged seven-year affair with married TV star Ramsay – including fresh allegations that he confided in her that he had two other affairs.
Symonds - author of the book Having An Affair? A Handbook for the Other Woman - told British tabloid News of the World that one of Ramsay's alleged infidelities was with a married Danish author, and the other a one-night stand with a woman in the US.
"I was his confidante - more than a mistress," Symonds revealed in the Sunday newspaper. "He even called me his 'soulmate'."
In fresh testimony that is bound to tarnish Ramsay's 'family man' image, Symonds claims she and the chef thrived on the risks they took to see each other behind Tana's back.
The accusations follow the newspaper's allegations last week that Ramsay had been conducting an affair with Symonds – former lover of author Jeffrey Archer.
Ramsay and Tana have maintained a united front since the sordid affair allegations surfaced last week.
However, Ramsay broke his silence during the latter half of the week while filming a BBC cookery TV show in Birmingham, England – insisting that he hadn't been cheating on his missus.
"What a week I've had," he told the audience. "My mum is in here tonight so I'm on my best behaviour, ooh la la. Oh f*** it. I didn't do it, mum, I love you."
"All my family are here as well and probably half of the News of the World."
Ramsay also joked with the crowd about reports his wife had thrown him out of their bedroom.
"I have had a mattress arriving this week, everyone thought it was because I had to sleep in the basement," he said.
"Mattress, mistress, mattress, what a load of b*******."
Symonds criticised Ramsay in the new tell-all interview, blasting him for portraying himself as a devoted husband, and for refusing to give his side of the story.
"Enough is enough," she told the newspaper. "He should be on his knees eating humble pie—but instead he's lying."
Symonds claims she can back-up her affair allegations with a series of colourful diary entries she said Ramsay should read "to refresh his memory."
"Gordon has his PR team working round the clock, trying desperately to protect Brand Ramsay and this image of him as the ultimate family man," she said.
"But he's a complete hypocrite, and I can't believe he's been getting away with it for so long."
Symonds claims she first met Ramsay at a London nightclub in October 2001, and that they had sex soon after.
She also claims Ramsay introduced her to his wife Tana, and that their affair continued after she moved to Los Angeles in 2003.
In a separate News of the World article, Symonds also alleges that she and pottymouth Ramsay had regular phone sex, and even had a bit of the other while "thundering through the Channel Tunnel surrounded by passengers".
"Gordon lives on the edge," Symonds said. "He loves the risk and needs that adrenaline rush.
"And he's got an ego which tells him he's untouchable."
But she saved the best for last, revealing that she had nicknamed Ramsay "big boy" – and apparently not on account on his size 15 feet.
Symonds also claimed she feels no guilt over her alleged dalliance with the married star.
"I can't feel guilty, I'm single," she said.
"I'm not the one who's married with four children. But if a wife can't keep her husband happy that's not my fault."
Brand Ramsay
So where to now for Ramsay? Whether the allegations are true or not, there's no doubt the stink will test his marriage to the limit.
Tana has so far done the dutiful wife thing and posed for the obligatory 'I'm standing by my man' snaps - as well as maintaining a dignified silence. And Ramsay has reportedly said 'sorry'. But how long before she cracks under the scrutiny?
As for Ramsay, well, some say the scandal could see him laughing all the way to the bank.
A fellow leading chef tells the Telegraph that Ramsay's alleged affair could attract more diners to his string of restaurants.
Speaking to London's Evening Standard newspaper, chef Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex said: "Ramsay makes money because of the brand. This will boost him. It is publicity, Gordon is still here.
"All his businesses are going very well already, and this may do him some good."
He's probably not far off the mark. After all there is, according to folklore, no such thing as bad publicity.
But at the end of the day, only time will tell if the tawdry tales of alleged infidelity have tarnished (or bolstered) brand Ramsay.
To be continued...
BBB
