GARY Rhodes’ brother today said he has “lost a best friend” after the TV chef died suddenly aged 59 last night.
Chris Rhodes paid an emotional tribute to his sibling who will “always be by his side” following the star’s shock death.
He posted a heartfelt tribute this morning which read: “I have not only lost a brother but a best friend too.
“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 in my life.
“Rest in Peace beloved man – love you always.”
He accompanied the poignant post with a picture of the pair at his nephew George’s wedding in 2016.
Gary, a dad-of-two – who moved to the UAE in 2007 – was working on the day he died and his death is said to have come as a complete shock.
“SUDDENLY TAKEN ILL”
His cause of death has not been confirmed, but Jamie Oliver originally posted on Instagram that he had “passed away after a tragic fall” – before quickly deleting the post.
A production company that was working with Rhodes on a new TV series said he was suddenly taken ill during a break in filming.
Rock Oyster Media and Goldfinch TV said: “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.”
He uploaded the picture of him with the MasterChef star – famed for his gelled spiky hair – to Instagram with a blue heart emoji caption.
I have not only lost a brother but a best friend too.
Chris Rhodes
The MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen star‘s family paid tribute to him this morning and thanked everyone for their support.
In a statement, they said: “The Rhodes family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Gary Rhodes OBE.
“Gary passed away last evening at the age of 59, with his beloved wife Jennie by his side.
“The family would like to thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy during this time.”
Jaideep Bhatia, from of the Grosvenor House Dubai where Rhodes was a chef, said he was working “until the day he died”.
She added: “He was working until the day he died. He was working until Tuesday.”
Gary, who celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary this year, was a workaholic and skipped last Christmas with his family to run his restaurant in Dubai.
“THE CHEF’S CHEF”
Tributes have flooded in for the cook – dubbed “The Chef’s Chef” by his peers – with many in the industry thanking him for inspiring them.
Mr Oliver posted on Instagram: “Sadly Chef Gary Rhodes OBE passed away. My heart felt sympathies to his wife , kids, friends and family, sending love and thoughts.
“Gary was a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for British cooking, he was a massive inspiration to me as a young chef.
“He reimagined modern British cuisine with elegance and fun. Rest in peace Chef.”
Gordon Ramsay added: “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.”
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Rhodes was a household name in the early 2000s and starred in shows such as MasterChef, Hell’s Kitchen and also fronted his own cooking shows.
He 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”.
In the 1970s he had to have major brain surgery when he was hit by a transit van on a night out.
