SPY: Gordon Ramsay's big meltdown

Gordon Ramsay. Photo / Supplied

Embattled celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, 43, has had a tough week.

He split from his father-in-law and business partner, Chris Hutcheson, after a blazing row about loans taken from the company totally nearly £1.5 million (NZ$3.1 million).

His wife Tana - on whom he allegedly cheated in a seven-year affair - took off to Los Angeles to stay with the Beckhams. And he faces a hefty lawsuit from Kiwi events company Duco after pulling out of two scheduled charity gala dinners in New Zealand.

Only days ahead of his high-profile and high-paying appearance Ramsay's dramatic exit came via an announcement from his London solicitors Mischon de Reya last week - the same firm that instructed Princess Diana during her divorce from HRH Prince Charles.

David Higgins of Duco Events said he was instructed by Ramsay's lawyers that the celebrity chef would not be coming and fulfilling his contracted appearances. The event organiser said no explanation or apology was made.

Higgins is taking legal action through the London courts to recoup the money his company expected to lose through the late cancellation. He said it's clear cut - he has a binding signed contract.

The 30-year-old Kiwi events manager has support from high places. Sir Bob Jones, 71, who is well-known for winning complex legal cases is financially backing the lawsuit and has already hired legal representation - Spy understands a Queen's Counsel.

Insiders say Jones is outraged by the situation and wants justice.

The dinners were to raise money for medical treatment in the US for nine-year-old Napier girl Matisse Reid who has a life-threatening intestinal condition which means she cannot eat and has to be fed intravenously.

Ramsay has gone on the offensive and claims he was unaware the events were for charity. His spokesman said on Saturday: "Until a few days ago we were unaware that this was a fundraising event. Gordon has every sympathy for Matisse and will be making a personal donation to Chance2Eat."

But Higgins told Spy the contract Ramsay signed clearly states the events are charity dinners and email correspondence between the parties show it was understood they were charity events.

Ramsay's agent at the time, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne, confirmed this. In an email to Duco she stated: "Gordon Ramsay was fully aware of the fact that these are charity dinners."

It is the second time Ramsay reneged on his planned New Zealand appearances. In June he postponed his trip after his mother had a heart attack. Spy understands medical evidence was promised but never eventuated.

At the time, Nelthorpe-Cowne encouraged Ramsay to reconsider his June cancellation. "You will disappoint an entire nation," she said.

Ramsay replied on June 4 in an email entitled Re: New Zealand: "I don't know how to put this, but I am so sorry, I've just come to the very end with everybody taking the piss! Its [sic] not making me happy, I can't be away from the business right now, and the money only going elsewhere to prop up other peoples [sic] superficial lifestyles! Happy to follow up legally with my solicitor on Monday. Best Gordon."

On June 14 Ramsay emailed his former agent: "No way am I trying to be awkward, but if I could pay you money to withdraw from this mess, I would."

That's not good enough for Jodee Reid, who said her daughter Matisse, "was so excited that Gordon was going to help her by doing these events and now she is just devastated. Yet another blow for our brave little girl."

Higgins said Matisse was to benefit from the funds raised at the dinners which was expected to be in excess of $100,000.

Ramsay has own battles. British newspapers said yesterday he's in discussions with former British Dragons' Den tycoon Peter Jones to help turn around his ailing business empire.

"Gordon called in Peter as the absolute last resort," said a source quoted in the News of the World. "He told Peter, 'Look, I'm in trouble. I'm going to need your help'."

The Daily Mail said more than 1000 staff had to be laid off last year as Ramsay's company lost £8.3 million (NZ$17.4 million) globally, "with reports of unpaid suppliers and diners complaining he was paying too much attention to his lucrative TV work."

Ironically, it is another Jones and another former Dragons' Den star, Sir Bob Jones, that has come to the aid of Higgins and young Matisse.

Is this a battle Ramsay should bother fighting? Higgins said the TV cook may think he can bully the small guy, but he will have a fight on his hands.