When doctors told me our boy has autism.. I thought, I’m just happy that he’s alive
His son’s health has made Jean-Christophe re-assess what’s important in life. He has a fantastic relationship with daughter Christina, 32, and he also cherishes time with his boys Jean, 11, Jacques, seven – and Valentino.
The chef adds: “I used to work six days a week, 16 hours a day – I was a passionate slave.
“We have to turn a page, focus as much as we can on the positives.
“I don’t live for myself any more – I’m just here to make sure I pass on as much as I can to all of them.
“The pleasure I have with my children, I just love seeing them grow, it’s my biggest satisfaction in life.”
But the chef admits handling Valentino’s cancer diagnosis was tough, adding: “I didn’t know how to tell the children – I couldn’t say the cancer word. But Jean Jnr heard about Valentino from another child in the playground.
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“He asked about it when I picked him up from school and I had to stop the car and explain.
“I remember every night, their mum was not there, she was constantly with Valentino in hospital doing what a parent does best. They missed their mum, they missed the baby.”
Valentino was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma when just six weeks old. It has one of the lowest survival rates and Valentino had to endure harsh chemotherapy in order to survive.
Jean-Christophe recalls: “He didn’t have a way to speak for himself, the only thing he would give away during chemo is tears from his fixed, glazed eyes or blood from his nose.
“That’s obscene, you don’t expect that from a baby or anyone.”
The family were told the cancer was in remission and the tumours no longer active in April 2017. It was a moment for celebration – though the emotional impact was still unfolding.
A welcome challenge – in the form of new TV show Celebrity Hunted – helped Jean- Christophe come to terms with Valeninto’s struggles. Stars try to avoid being captured for two weeks and Jean- Christophe was teamed with fellow chef Aldo Zilli, 63.
The show is in support of Stand Up To Cancer – and Jean-Christophe has also been helping raise money for fellow chef Tim Bilton, 47, who has the disease.
The Frenchman says of Hunted: “It was the hardest thing I’ve done. The paranoia was the worst, being chased by the hunters day after day.
“They drove us all crazy and were an absolute pain in the backside. I actually hated all of them.
“This year was seriously the hardest series but for sure, respect to them they are the real elites. But in all honesty I slept solidly for five days when I got home.”
Michelle – who nearly died from a blood clot while keeping a bedside vigil for Valentino – adds: “Hunted was a good way for Jean to release a lot of the sadness and memories with what he went through with Valentino.
“It’s sometimes hard for men to chat to their mates, so doing a big challenge like that, it’s a real way to let the bottled up things come out – and turn a page for himself and all of us.”
Celebrity Hunted starts tonight on Channel 4, 9pm.