Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has revealed a surprisingly tender side, moving his future son-in-law, Olympic champion Adam Peaty, to the brink of tears with a heartfelt message of support. The touching moment occurred as Peaty, 30, prepares to marry Ramsay's daughter, Holly, in a lavish ceremony at Bath Abbey on Saturday, December 27.
A Bond Forged Through Support and Guidance
The close relationship between the fiery TV chef and the Team GB swimming legend has deepened in recent years, particularly as Peaty navigated well-documented struggles with his mental health and alcohol. These challenges led him to withdraw from the British Swimming Championships in 2023. Peaty has since spoken openly about the invaluable guidance and support he has received from the Ramsay family during this period.
Their strong connection was poignantly displayed during Peaty's appearance on the High Performance podcast. Host Jake Humphrey read aloud a text message sent by Gordon Ramsay about the athlete, leaving Peaty visibly emotional. "That makes me emotional, I don't want to cry on the podcast, but it makes me very emotional," Peaty admitted after hearing the words.
The Heartfelt Message That Sparked Tears
In the message, Ramsay expressed his profound admiration for his daughter's fiancé. "I want you to know he's an amazing young man with such a great attitude," the chef wrote. "Honestly, I could not ask for a more down-to-earth, respectable future son-in-law. What he's achieved is incredible and he's not done yet."
Peaty reflected on Ramsay's own life as a source of inspiration, praising his balance between high-performance career, family, and love. He also humorously noted Ramsay's forward-thinking nature, saying, "I love how he's already signing me up for the LA Olympics in 2028." The swimmer described both Gordon and his wife Tana as a "great guide" and a "blessing" to have in his life.
An Emotional Request for Permission
This was not the first time Peaty had been brought to tears by the Ramsay family patriarch. The Olympian previously recounted the deeply emotional moment he asked Gordon and Tana for their permission to propose to Holly. The conversation took place in Cornwall, away from the hustle and bustle.
"I was very traditional, I asked Gordon and Tana for their permission to marry Holly," Peaty explained. "It was very emotional, we were in Cornwall and I said can we have half an hour, just us three. And I cried, they cried, we had a few hugs, and here we are." Ramsay himself confirmed the moment, calling Peaty "so down to earth and so focused" and stating they "couldn't ask for anyone better" as a future son-in-law.
The couple, who first met in 2021 when Peaty was partnered with Holly's sister Tilly on Strictly Come Dancing, got engaged in September 2024. Peaty's planned proposal in Greece faced comical setbacks, including a mistaken restaurant booking and an encounter with abandoned cars and roaming chickens, before he eventually proposed at their hotel villa.
With the wedding now imminent, Peaty predicts he will be "crying all day" during the celebrations. The event is set to be a significant affair, with the culinary duties masterminded by the groom's future father-in-law, the Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay.
