Star of
Hell's Kitchen and perpetual TV villain
Gordon Ramsay is actually off to something good recently as he spearheads an annual all-star charity football match. Ramsay, 41, will in fact captain The Rest of the World against England in ITV's Soccer Aid. He will lead a team of celebrities and World Cup veterans against a star-packed England side.
The game, which is set at Wembley on September 7, will feature celebrities Jonathan Wilkes and Gareth Gates, plus ex-player Alan Shearer. Former Scotland star Kenny Dalglish will manage Ramsay's side while Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will lead the English side. Pop star Robbie Williams also regularly partakes in the charity games, but he had to miss out this year because of a knee injury.
“Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life. I'm hutted that this time round my knee isn't up to it, so unfortunately I'm out of the game.”
Williams was able to raise £2.6million for UNICEF in 2006.
Perhaps unknown to most Hell's Kitchen fans, Ramsay is a former Rangers player and an all around sports guy. He also runs marathons and skis.
“Running started as a way of relaxing,” Ramsay said in a 2007 interview. “It's the only time I have to myself. No phones or e-mails or faxes. And it really helps to get an appetite. So, wherever my knives go, my trainers go, too. I pack a half dozen of my best Japanese knives and three pairs of size 15 Asics.”
He said his athleticism comes from the strict healthy lifestyle he had as a child.
“My father was a swim teacher. We used to swim before school, swim after school. We weren't allowed sugar in our porridge. We had salt instead because it put hairs on your bullocks. So I was always naturally fit.”
Hell's Kitchen recently concluded its fourth season.
-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:
Telegraph
(Image Courtesy of Sports Illustrated)