Fresh allegations about Gordon Ramsay’s controversial Hell’s Kitchen leadership techniques have surfaced following the release of Coronation Street star Amanda Barrie’s new memoir. The actress who famously played Alma Baldwin sporadically for 20 years starred on the British cooking competition series in 2004, and recounted her experience as she branded the famous chef a “vicious bully.” During an unforgettable episode from the first UK season, tensions boiled over and led to an on-screen row, in which Barrie lunged at Ramsay but the slap was blocked by the hot-headed restaurateur who grabbed her wrist.
After losing control, the actress left the show by mutual agreement. In her book, I’m Still Here: My 90 Years, she said: “We all knew the show was a vehicle for Gordon but not that he was going to take every opportunity to insult and humiliate us." Barrie claimed it was a deliberate attempt to get a rise out of her and said that Gordon often appeared to be out of control. The actress also compared the 58-year-old to the US leader, President Donald Trump and wrote: “They are both bullies.”
In her book, Barrie described the chef as “vicious” and alleged that the contestants were left talking about psychological issues.
The Corrie star admitted that when it got too much, she erupted and launched herself at Ramsay.
Barrie, who was in her 60s at the time, mocked Ramsay for calling security after blocking the slap and added: “I have never seen a face that was asking more to be slapped.”
In the memoir, which hits the shelves on Thursday, the star also recounts the insults the chef launched at former Tory MP Edwina Currie.
Ramsay allegedly labelled the politician as “diseased”, “poisonous” and a “pathetic b***h.” She claimed that he attempted to provoke a reaction with: “One minute you’re shagging the Prime Minister and now you are trying to shag me from behind.”
The Daily Express has contacted Gordon Ramsay for comment.
At the time, Barrie approached the chef the day after the incident and said: “Well, when I took a swipe at you yesterday quite honestly I thought ‘I’m totally out of control here’ and I’m obviously not in control of myself when I’m around you."
According to the Irish Examiner, she added: “I’m either in tears or taking a whack at you. I thought that was no way to behave, I made a complete and utter fool of myself.”
To which Ramsay playfully responded: “Can I just say it was a bloody good shot.”
Proposing her exit, she told the chef: “I would like to go home now and watch this show in bed at home with a bottle of champagne and fish and chips.
“It has been quite an experience chef, but I think I should get out of the way chef before I screw up anything else chef."
