Having just lost his best London restaurant crown to his one-time friend and business partner Marcus Wareing (in the Harden’s guide), the fiery chef has been accused by GMTV host Ben Shephard of starting to look a bit porky.

Ben, 34, will be up against the F-Word host and former professional footballer, 41, when England take on the Rest of the World in the Unicef Soccer Aid 2008 game at Wembley on September 7.

He says: “Ramsay is the most competitive person I’ve ever met in my life but he’s not young and I saw those pictures [of Ramsay wearing skin-tight swimming trunks] and he’s not looking particularly match-fit either – anyone who wears Speedos should be severely reprimanded!”

It seems unlikely that Ben will be getting lunch on the house in one of Ramsay’s eateries any time soon...