
Inside TV Chef Ainsley Harriott’s Life from Fortune to Heartbreaking Split
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TV chef Ainsley Harriott has long been a household name, captivating audiences with his vibrant energy and passion for cooking over decades of television. Born in London to his mother Peppy and his father Chester Leroy—a renowned Jamaican-born pianist and entertainer—Harriott’s culinary journey began at Westminster College. His early career saw him perfect his craft in some of London’s finest hotels and restaurants, experiences that paved the way for his future in the spotlight.
Harriott’s break into television came in the early 1990s when he was invited to be the resident chef on BBC TV’s Good Morning With Anne And Nick. This opportunity led him to host twenty-one series of Ready, Steady, Cook, alongside appearances on popular programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, This Morning, and City Hospital. His solo primetime cooking shows, including Ainsley’s Fantastic Flavors on ITV1, further cemented his reputation as one of the nation’s most beloved culinary figures, according to the Express.
In recognition of his extensive contributions to broadcasting and the culinary arts, Harriott was appointed an MBE in 2020. The accolade was deeply personal for him. Reflecting on the honour, 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 honor for me and for everyone who has helped me on my way.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Harriott’s life has been marked by personal highs and lows. He was previously married to former costume designer Clare Fellows, with whom he shares two children, Jimmy and Maddie. Their separation in 2012, following years of shared fame from Ready, Steady, Cook, was a challenging period in his life. In an interview on Rylan’s How to be in the Spotlight podcast, when asked about handling his status “as a national treasure”, Harriott responded:
“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.”
He continued:
“They still bring a tomato and a pepper, ‘what you going to do with this?’. I smile, I have a little moment with them.” He also opened up about the strain relationships can place on personal life, stating: “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.”
In a dramatic twist to his colorful career, Harriott was reportedly the target of a bizarre ‘assassination’ attempt in 2018. A dark web “assassination marketplace” known as Besa Mafia had listed him among other famous figures, offering to arrange murders for hire. Fortunately, the plot turned out to be a scam.
Today, with a Celebrity Net Worth estimated at £3.2 million and a prolific array of cookbooks—including Ainsley’s Good Mood Food: Easy, Comforting Meals To Lift Your Spirits—Harriott remains a cherished figure, continuing to bring joy and culinary inspiration to fans around the world.