F-Word star Gordon defends pal Beckham over knighthood rant
CHEF Gordon Ramsay has launched a staunch defence of his friend David Beckham after leaked emails revealed the footballer’s fury at being passed over for a knighthood.
Beckham’s reputation was tarnished earlier this year when it emerged that he had described the Honours Committee as ‘unappreciative c****’ in a private message.
But in an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine today, the F-Word presenter hits back at Beckham’s critics. He says he is ‘aghast’ at the treatment the former England captain has received and claims that he is a victim of ‘tall poppy syndrome’. Ramsay says: ‘Did he deserve a kicking? Nothing of the sort. Tall poppy syndrome, as always. You can’t have privacy in an email to turn around and tell someone to p*** off or get lost?’
Ramsay also questions why Beckham was passed over when former BHS boss Philip Green and paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile were both granted knighthoods. ‘Come on, that’s insane,’ he says.
The chef, 50, will be this week’s guest presenter of ITV’s much maligned The Nightly Show.
Ratings have plummeted to below one million during its run and Ramsay reveals that his wife Tana even suggested that he pull out after it received a mauling from critics.
However, he says: ‘I know I’m going to get a kicking. The knives are out but I quite like that.
‘I’m robust. I’m gonna stand strong and take the blows.’