Masterchef semi-finalist dies in London Marathon
Runner collapses at 22.5 miles
A MASTERCHEF semi-finalist died after collapsing during Sunday’s London Marathon, race organisers announced yesterday.
Matt Campbell, 29, was less than four miles from the finish when he fell ill on the hottest day in the event’s history.
Doctors treated him at the scene but he later died in hospital. His cause of death has not yet been established.
Matt had completed the Manchester Marathon in a time of under three hours just two weeks earlier.
The professional chef was running in memory of his father, Martin, who died suddenly in the summer of 2016.
Tributes poured in yesterday and charity donations in his memory soared to more than £48,000 last night.
Matt appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals last year and was a highly rated contestant.
A spokeswoman for the BBC show said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear the news about Matt Campbell, one of our talented contestants.
“It was a privilege to have him on the show. He will always be remembered for producing some of the most innovative and groundbreaking food that we saw on the series.” Michelin-starred chef and show judge Marcus Wareing added: “He was a talented, innovative and driven chef with a bright future ahead of him.
“My thoughts are with his friends and family at this tragic time.”
Food writer Grace Dent, who often appears on the show, tweeted: “Brilliant, clever, funny, incredibly talented Matt. This is unfathomable.”
Food critic Jay Rayner, another regular guest on MasterChef, also paid tribute, writing: “Awful news. I presented Matt with an award for outstanding achievement at last month’s Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards.
“He was clever and hugely creative and innovative. My thoughts are with his family.”
Matt, from Kendal, Cumbria, was running to raise funds for the Brathay Trust – an organisation for vulnerable young people.
His dad had worked with the charity for a decade.
In February Matt wrote on social media: “Words can’t describe how honoured and humbled I feel to be asked to run this year’s London Marathon on behalf of Brathay Trust and in memory of my father, Martin Campbell.”
Before the race, he posed for a photo in Greenwich Park with fellow MasterChef contestant and marathon runner Tom Peters. Matt is the 12th person to have died running the race since it began in 1981.
Temperatures on the 26.2-mile course reached up to 24.2C this year.
Matt had aimed to raise £2,500 and had not hit that target on Sunday morning. But donations flooded in after the tragic news.
The Brathay Trust said yesterday: “Matt and his family have been tireless in supporting the work of Brathay Trust and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time.”
A London Marathon statement read: “Everyone involved in the organisation of the London Marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt’s family and friends.”
Matt began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens after finishing second on BBC Young Chef Of The Year at the age of 20 in 2009.
He was a champion of healthy eating and was touring the UK with his dishes.
He was a talented, innovative and driven chef with a bright future ahead of him
MARCUS WAREING JUDGE ON MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS