Gordon Ramsay Reveals Adam Peaty Calls Him 'Dad' Amid Family Estrangement
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has disclosed that his new son-in-law, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, now refers to him as "dad" in the wake of a significant family estrangement. This revelation comes after Peaty's own parents were notably absent from his December wedding to Ramsay's eldest daughter, Holly, at the historic Grade II listed Bath Abbey.
A Wedding Overshadowed by Family Conflict
The joyous occasion was marred by a bitter family fallout that resulted in Peaty's mother, Caroline, being barred from the service. Reports of tension between Peaty, his new wife, and his family first surfaced in November, with Caroline accusing the Ramsays of pulling her son away from her. Ramsay, aged 59, faced allegations of using his father-of-the-bride speech to criticise both Caroline and Peaty's father, Mark, who also missed the ceremony.
Despite the controversy, Ramsay expressed that he feels he has gained a son rather than lost a daughter. In an interview on Gaby Roslin's Reasons To Be Joyful podcast, he shared heartfelt details about his relationship with Peaty. "He calls me dad," Ramsay revealed. "He messaged me and said 'Hey dad, what have you got? Hey dad, are you around later?' And it's just like, 'Oh my God'. Incredible. And what a lovely couple. They are a dream for Tana and I."
Emotional Wedding Moments and Family Dynamics
Recalling the wedding day, Ramsay joked about the emotional and financial aspects, noting, "Don't, have you seen the size of the flower bill? Sixty-three metre walk down the aisle and I don't know why Holly thought that every pew needed to be decorated with the most gorgeous carnations." He added that all flowers were donated to a hospice and local hospital the following day.
Ramsay described a poignant moment during the car journey to the ceremony, where Holly held his hand and said, "Dad, it's time." He recounted, "And I... 'Oh no'. You know when you get excited and then you're just sort of nervous and you say 'No'. And then I walked into the bloody church and there's Adam absolutely bawling like he's just got out of the swimming pool."
Reflecting on the day, Ramsay became emotional, stating, "Even I'm feeling emotional now because it is an incredible day and we had such an amazing morning together. And I sort of got a new son as well, as opposed to saying goodbye to Holly. An amazing day." He praised Peaty as "one of the most gorgeous disciplined young men you'll ever hope to meet, and just so focused."
Breaking Silence on the Feud
While Peaty's parents were absent, his sister Beth served as a maid of honour. In promoting his new Netflix series, Being Gordon Ramsay, the chef finally addressed the feud, describing it as "self-inflicted" from the Peaty side. He told the Daily Mail, "I was told we were accused of saying inappropriate things [at the reception]. Nothing at all was said that was inappropriate, I promise you. I was very warm, very witty. I talked about when they first met."
Ramsay humorously recalled his initial reaction to Holly dating Peaty, saying, "I was nervous, hearing the words no father would ever want to hear, 'Your daughter's gone on a date with the world's best breast-stroker.' We knew something big was going on when she came home and all we could smell was chlorine."
The wedding at Bath Abbey, which Ramsay described as "just beautiful, really beautiful," proceeded smoothly despite the underlying family tensions. Ramsay emphasised the importance of his speech, noting, "The speech I had to hold it together. I was first up and so I wanted to set the tone in a way that this means so much for Tana and I."
As Peaty and Holly Ramsay celebrate two months of marriage, the dynamics within their extended families continue to draw public attention, with Ramsay's candid revelations shedding light on the personal impacts of the estrangement.
