Inside the life of celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott from sad split to 'assassination attempt'
Ainsley Harriott has been the energetic and passionate chef on our TV screens for decades.
Harriott was born in London to mother Peppy and father Chester Leroy, a famous Jamaican-born pianist and entertainer.
The TV chef first trained at Westminster College before a career in London’s top hotels and restaurants – and with his years of experience working in professional kitchens, he has developed a deep understanding of his craft.
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In the early 1990s, Ainsley was invited to become the resident chef on BBC TV’s Good Morning With Anne And Nick.
This foray into TV cooking saw him later front twenty-one series of Ready, Steady, Cook, appear on Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning and City Hospital as well as a number of solo primetime cooking series, including Ainsley's Fantastic Flavours on ITV1.
His work saw him awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to broadcasting and the culinary arts. Outside of cooking, Ainsley Harriott has led a vibrant life including a sad split with his wife and a reported dark web assassination attempt.
What is Ainsley Harriott's net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ainsley is worth £3.2million.
He earns his money from his TV shows, appearances as well as his numerous cookbooks including Ainsley’s Good Mood Food: Easy, Comforting Meals To Lift Your Spirits.
Ainsley Harriott's split from wife 'caused by fame'
Harriott was previously married to former costume designer Clare Fellows and they have two children together, Jimmy and Maddie.
The celebrity separated from Fellows in 2012 after more than a decade in the spotlight with hit show Ready Steady Cook. He previously spoke about how his friends helped him get over the split, but also how it was difficult to hide the pain from the public.
Asked on Rylan's How to be in the Spotlight podcast how he coped with his status "as a national treasure", Harriott said: "It's other people who put you in that category, you don't put yourself in there. You're not someone who brings negativity, you're someone who brings a smile.
"Most of the time people approach me, even if they bash their supermarket trolley into me, it's always a lovely moment, been doing it for years.
"They still bring a tomato and a pepper, 'what you going to do with this?'. I smile, I have a little moment with them.
"I think it's difficult for partners. It was certainly difficult for my ex and I think that probably contributed to our break-up because you are sharing the person that you love all the time and that is hard.
"A lot of people in the industry have been there and you feel divided because there are two of you but ultimately there is only one."
Harriott previously wrote in the Mirror that he still has love and feelings for his ex-wife "which never stops because she gave me the most important things in my life, and there is a respect there."
Harriott 'choked up' over MBE
Ainsley Harriott said he was 'choked up' after learning he is to be recognised on the New Year Honours list in 2020.
The TV chef has been made an MBE for services to broadcasting and to the culinary arts - and said his mother would be so proud.
He said: "When I was first told about it, I immediately thought about my dear late mum - which really choked me up, because I know how proud she would have been, her boy's proud too - it's a great honour for me and for everyone who has helped me on my way."
Bizarre 'assassination' attempt on Ainsley
In 2018, a hit was ordered on the iconic TV chef on a dark web 'assassination marketplace'.
The infamous Besa Mafia website was launched on the dark web, promising to organise murders for hire to those willing to pay.
According to an investigation by the Metro, a British tech security expert was able to gain access to the computer systems behind the sinister website - and to a list of famous faces on the kill list.
One of the first photographs that emerged was of Ainsley, suggesting someone wanted him dead.
People were invited to pay for hits using an untraceable cryptocurrency - but thankfully for Ainsley, it proved to be a scam. Those who had called for the murder of everyone from disliked celebrities to their own husbands and wives ended up being victims themselves, as they were cornered by the fake "killers"
