Heston Blumenthal has ‘rough time’ with family at war as love split looms

TV chef Heston Blumenthal's romance with the mother of his child is on the rocks - just months after their baby was born.

Heston, 51, and French estate agent Stephanie Gouveia have been spending time apart during a period of torment for the star.

Pals said they are increasingly concerned for the Michelin-starred chef, who has not been seen on TV or at restaurants projects for months.

The news comes as friends revealed he has endured “months of turmoil”, including his sister attacking his mum.

TV chiefs are said to be aware of problems in the personal life of the star, who has admitted being diagnosed with ADHD.

He has not been seen on TV or at restaurant projects for several months and has recently spent time “straightening things out” at a celebrity pal’s home.

Stephanie, thought to be some 20 years younger than the Mic­helin-starred chef, gave birth to his fourth child late last year.

But a source said: “Heston has been dealing with a lot of problems at the moment.

“He’s going through a rough time with Stephanie and things haven’t been good between other members of his family.

“Heston has spent some time on his own recently, trying to straighten things out.

“He has also spent some time at the countryside retreat of another celebrity friend.”

News of Heston and Stephanie’s child was revealed in a February statement which did not disclose the baby’s gender.

The chef’s spokesman said: “I can confirm Heston and Stephanie had a child at the end of last year, but we won’t be giving any further information.”

But sources said the relationship with Stephanie had subsequently hit a “turbulent” spell.

The couple are trying to work through it and were due to meet up abroad this weekend.

A separate source said: “It is fair to say they have had a turbulent time — but they are trying to work through it.”

The pair’s romance emerged in 2016 after they were seen at Sir Terry Wogan’s memorial service and smooching outside London’s Chiltern Firehouse.

But Heston, famed for dishes including snail porridge and egg and bacon ice cream, has not now been pictured in public since October last year.

He also avoided publicity around his Waitrose Christmas range and a rambling performance on an Aussie TV show last April also raised eyebrows.

The star, who has cooked for The Queen at Windsor, bravely admitted he had ADHD in 2016, but said he “wouldn’t change it”.

He has recently been beset by other family problems.

Earlier this year his sister Alexis, 49, was given a ten-week suspended jail term for two attacks on their 77-year-old mum Celia — including slamming her head against a car.

In a victim statement, Celia said her daughter had carried out a campaign of “verbal and violent abuse” for four years, largely due to her alcoholism.

Before dating Stephanie, Heston romanced American cookery writer Suzanne Pirret, but the relationship ended last year.

Heston split from wife Zanna — mother to their kids Jack, 25, Jessie, 22 and Joy, 20 — in 2011.

They divorced last April when Zanna, 53, sought a decree nisi on the grounds the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

The couple met as teenagers and sold their house to pay for the pub he turned into restaurant The Fat Duck. In an interview, Heston called Zanna the “biggest reason” for its success.

But he later said his workaholic ways left him regretting not devoting time to his kids.

He said: “I had a back operation over Christmas when we were closed at The Fat Duck.

“I was putting up decorations with my son Jack and he said, ‘This is the first time we’ve done this Dad’. He was 13 or 14.