7 Things You Didn't Know About Gordon Ramsay

He is television's 'sweariest' chef, whose fierce temper has made him as renowned for his cutting comebacks as he is known for his multi Michelin starred cooking (although surprisingly, Gordon Ramsay has proved to be a kind and sensitive presenter when working with children).

Gordon's fiery demeanour is particularly popular with an American audience. In his hit shows, Hotel Hell and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, the focus is not on his cookery but on his dramatic transformation of failing hotels, motels and restaurants.

Despite a rocky start in life with an alcoholic father, Gordon has gone on to be awarded an OBE as well as opening multiple restaurants across the globe from Britain to France, and the US to Singapore.

Here are 6 things you might not know about Gordon Ramsay...

1. He wanted to be a footballer...

Gordon had always planned to be a footballer, having been chosen for the Warwickshire under 14 team when he was 12. He trained with Scottish football team Rangers in his teens, but after smashing his cartilage, his footballing career ambitions came to an end.

2. There's one thing he would never order in a restaurant...

Gordon Ramsay told Town and Country magazine that he would never order soup when he's dining out. He shared his advice that we should, 'sk what yesterday’s soup du jour was before today’s special. It may be the case that it’s the soup du month.'

3. He speaks fluent French...

When it became apparent he would not be able to pursue football, Gordon enrolled on a course in hotel management, going on to work for Marco Pierre White. He then moved to Paris to work for two Michelin starred chefs, Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon, during which time he learnt to speak French fluently.

4. He has gained numerous Michelin stars...

16, to be precise. Gordon has somewhat of a restaurant empire, with 12 restaurants in London alone.

5. He does a spot of reviewing...

While not as in depth a reviewer as other restaurant critics, Gordon has gained a huge following on Twitter as a result of his harsh food reviews. His budding chef fans send him pictures of their home cooked meals in exchange for scathing and blunt reviews, all within 140 characters.

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6. He's a marathon runner...

Gordon says that running keeps him sane. He has completed 12 marathons and, this year, his 18 year old daughter Megan raised over £5,000 for Great Ormond Street when she ran the London Marathon. It must 'run' in the family.

7. His children are talented chefs too...

Gordon's 15-year-old daughter Matilda presents a CBBC cookery show called Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch, documenting the Ramsay's family holiday and the suitably themed meals that Matilda cooks for them along the way.

8. He never eats plane food...

During an interview with Refinery 29, chef Gordon revealed that there's one thing he never does on a flight - eat the food!

'There's no f—ing way I eat on planes,' Ramsay said. 'I worked for airlines for ten years, so I know where this food's been and where it goes, and how long it took before it got on board.'

So how does a chef get through a flight? By tucking into some delicious deli meats beforehand of course. He told Refinery 29 that his ideal pre-flight routine is to enjoy, 'a nice selection of Italian meats, a little glass of red wines, some sliced apples or pears with some parmesan cheese'.

Essential Gordon Ramsay Stats

How old is Gordon Ramsay? 50 How tall is Gordon Ramsay? 6'1 How many children does Gordon Ramsay have? 4 - his eldest daughter is Megan, then twins Holly and Jack, and youngest Matilda. His baby, Rocky, was miscarried at 5 months. Who is Gordon Ramsay married to? Gordon's wife is Tana Ramsay, a former school teacher and cookery writer. Who are Gordon Ramsay's parents? Ramsay's father, also called Gordon, died in 1997. Gordon's mother, Helen Cosgrove, works for a number of charities, volunteering for Women's Aid.