GARY Rhodes died of "natural causes" last night after falling ill "very suddenly" during filming for a new ITV series. The 59-year-old - famed for his gelled spiky hair - died unexpectedly with his wife by his bedside in Dubai. The dad-of-two - who moved to the UAE in 2007 - was working on the day he died and his death is said to have come as a complete shock. His cause of death has not been confirmed, but Jamie Oliver originally posted on Instagram that he had "passed away after a tragic fall" - before quickly deleting the post. According to a statement released by Dubai Police, the famous chef "died of natural causes". A production company that was working with the MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen star on a new TV series said he was suddenly taken ill during a break in filming. Rock Oyster Media and Goldfinch TV said: "Gary was in the middle of filming a wonderful new series with Rock Oyster Media for ITV from his base in Dubai. "FELL ILL SUDDENLY" "Gary was taken ill very suddenly at home during a break in filming and died a short time afterwards. "Production was obviously halted as soon as Gary was taken ill and members of the Rock Oyster Team remain in Dubai to support the family as best they can." His brother Chris today said he has "lost a best friend" in a heartbreaking tribute to the star. The chef's devastated family said: "The Rhodes family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Gary Rhodes OBE. "Gary passed away last evening at the age of 59, with his beloved wife Jennie by his side. "The family would like to thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy during this time." Jaideep Bhatia, of the Grosvenor House Dubai where Rhodes ran a restaurant, said he was working "until the day he died". She added: "He arrived in Dubai in 2007 and had two restaurants, Rhodes 2010 at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, and Rhodes W1 at the Grosvenor. "He was working until the day he died. He was working until Tuesday." A statement from the Grosvenor House Dubai added: "The team is devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Chef Gary Rhodes OBE. "Not only has the industry lost a true culinary legend, we have also lost an inspirational human being and a very dear friend. 'THE CHEF'S CHEF' "No words can express our sadness at Gary’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rhodes family." His son George posted a heartbreaking picture of the pair on Instagram with a blue heart emjoi the day before he died. Tributes have flooded in for the cook - dubbed "The Chef's Chef" by his peers - with many in the industry thanking him for inspiring them. Mr Oliver posted on Instagram: "Sadly Chef Gary Rhodes OBE passed away. My heart-felt sympathies to his wife , kids, friends and family, sending love and thoughts. "Gary was a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for British cooking, he was a massive inspiration to me as a young
Gary Rhodes died of 'natural causes' aged 59 after falling ill 'very suddenly' as he filmed new ITV
GARY Rhodes died of "natural causes" last night after falling ill "very suddenly" during filming for a new ITV series. The 59-year-old - famed for his gelled spiky hair - died unexpectedly with his wife by his bedside in Dubai. The dad-of-two - who moved to the UAE in 2007 - was working on the day he died and his death is said to have come as a complete shock. His cause of death has not been confirmed, but Jamie Oliver originally posted on Instagram that he had "passed away after a tragic fall" - before quickly deleting the post. According to a statement released by Dubai Police, the famous chef "died of natural causes". A production company that was working with the MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen star on a new TV series said he was suddenly taken ill during a break in filming. Rock Oyster Media and Goldfinch TV said: "Gary was in the middle of filming a wonderful new series with Rock Oyster Media for ITV from his base in Dubai. "FELL ILL SUDDENLY" "Gary was taken ill very suddenly at home during a break in filming and died a short time afterwards. "Production was obviously halted as soon as Gary was taken ill and members of the Rock Oyster Team remain in Dubai to support the family as best they can." His brother Chris today said he has "lost a best friend" in a heartbreaking tribute to the star. The chef's devastated family said: "The Rhodes family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Gary Rhodes OBE. "Gary passed away last evening at the age of 59, with his beloved wife Jennie by his side. "The family would like to thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy during this time." Jaideep Bhatia, of the Grosvenor House Dubai where Rhodes ran a restaurant, said he was working "until the day he died". She added: "He arrived in Dubai in 2007 and had two restaurants, Rhodes 2010 at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, and Rhodes W1 at the Grosvenor. "He was working until the day he died. He was working until Tuesday." A statement from the Grosvenor House Dubai added: "The team is devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Chef Gary Rhodes OBE. "Not only has the industry lost a true culinary legend, we have also lost an inspirational human being and a very dear friend. 'THE CHEF'S CHEF' "No words can express our sadness at Gary’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rhodes family." His son George posted a heartbreaking picture of the pair on Instagram with a blue heart emjoi the day before he died. Tributes have flooded in for the cook - dubbed "The Chef's Chef" by his peers - with many in the industry thanking him for inspiring them. Mr Oliver posted on Instagram: "Sadly Chef Gary Rhodes OBE passed away. My heart-felt sympathies to his wife , kids, friends and family, sending love and thoughts. "Gary was a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for British cooking, he was a massive inspiration to me as a young
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