Gordon Ramsay was left wiping away tears while filming his latest TV project when the celebrity chef opened up about his younger brother.
In the second episode of Netflix’s Being Gordon Ramsay, the 59-year-old is grilled on what motivates him to keep striving for success, and it soon transpires that his upbringing plays a major role.
In particular, Mr Ramsay referred to his younger brother Ronnie, 58. In 2007, Mr Ramsay’s brother was jailed for 10 months for heroin possession and has struggled with drug addiction for the best part of 40 years.
Witnessing the completely different paths he and his brother have gone down led Mr Ramsay to candidly admit that he was “scared” that it could’ve been him.
The Ramsay family attended a Netflix event for Gordon’s new show this week
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GETTYThe tearful admission came when Mr Ramsay revealed he was cooking for high-roller guests at a Formula 1 race in Las Vegas.
After revealing diners purchased tickets at £35,000 a pop, Mr Ramsay detailed how that kind of money was completely alien to him when growing up.
“My mum would f***ing kill me,” he joked. “She’s never spent that in her life.”
Taking on a more sombre tone, he went on: “I’ll be honest, I remember in high school being called out for the lunch vouchers because your mum and dad are on social security and you have to go to another side of the school canteen to get your free meal with your dinner tickets.
Gordon Ramsay opens up about his family in his new Netflix documentary | NETFLIX
“I still remember those things. I suppose there are other people that would be embarrassed about that.
“I’m not embarrassed by my past. I got dealt a dysfunctional card. Big f***ing deal,” he added.
The interviewer probed further: “Is that what makes you keep pushing in different areas?”
“There’s nothing else, I’ll be honest,” Mr Ramsay answered. “So that drives me, that puts fuel in my tank because I was so close to not making it. That’s what keeps me going.”
Gordon Ramsay and wife Tana in Being Gordon Ramsay | NETFLIX
“What do you mean by that?” the interviewer pressed, asking her questions off-camera.
Mr Ramsay didn’t hold back: “I have a brother who’s a heroin addict. We shared a bunk bed together.
“He’s 15 months younger than me, and he’s been an addict for the last four decades. I’ve gone to hell and back with him, and so I have a guilt complex.
“That could’ve been me. It could’ve been switched. And so when that change is so close to you… It’s your brother, right?
“It’s not a cousin, it’s not a mate down the pub, it’s your brother. Born in the same house, grew up in the same bedroom, shared bunk beds, and so similar…
“But how can it be so different now? And so that’s what I mean by that.”
Tears began to roll down Mr Ramsay’s face after the heartfelt admission, prompting the interviewer to exclaim: “Wow.”
Attempting to lighten the mood, Mr Ramsay wiped his tears away before he replied: “Yeah, you were going deep there, girl. Like, holy s**t.
Being Gordan Ramsay has arrived on the streaming platform
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GETTY“But if you ask me, ‘What scares you?’ I’m gonna tell you what scares me.”
Elsewhere, in the six-part documentary series, Mr Ramsay also opens up on his pride of seeing his daughter Holly marry Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty.
There are also tales from his past working under the mentorship of Marco Pierre White, as well as his latest business venture.
Being Gordon Ramsay follows Mr Ramsay as he opens his most ambitious project yet: five restaurants and bars in London’s high-end Bishopsgate.