Tom Kerridge is swapping the kitchen for the touchline to become a rugby coach.
The 51-year-old is famed for his appearances on Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef.
But he has decided to take on the extra role inspired by his eight-year-old son, Acey’s interest in the sport.
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He is doing it with Marlow Rugby Union Football Club near where two of his posh restaurants the Hand of Flowers and The Coach are, in the posh Buckinghamshire town.
He said: “I’ve always been super into rugby, and recently I’ve been training to become an official rugby coach for Marlow.
“Now, recently, I’ve been doing age-grade rugby coaching and I’ve had to go on a couple of sessions where I’ve had to learn properly about first contact.
“The reason for that is because my son was just taken into the under-nines, where it’s the first time that they can actually tackle.
“And we’ve got to be very, very careful and conscious of tackling technique and making sure that there’s no head-on-head contact, trying to understand how they can thrive in this amazing world of rugby.
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“The only thing is, I had to do tackling and I had to do actual playing and I haven’t done it for a while, actually since I was 18.
“The big bonus is though, I did actually send a dummy and two other players the wrong way, set up a try and scored so, you know, it’s still with you.
“It never leaves.”
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The celeb chef has been praised by fans for getting involved.
One aid: “Being involved with kids’ rugby is brilliant fun. Enormously rewarding.”
Another joked: “Let me get this right, you dummied two nine-year-olds and scored?
“Tough love that, but they gotta learn the hard way .”
Mick said: “Hey Tom. Well done. I’m coach for U9s here in west Wales and I’ve never played a game in my life.
“The game needs volunteers no matter what. Great job.”
Mark added: “Love this. Great journey that you and your boy are on.”
John added: “Top man.”
Kerridge has just one son with his wife, Beth Cullen-Kerridge.
Last month he was slammed for hiking the cost of his cook-at-home festive dinner and you have to do it in the garden on a £2,000 BBQ.
The TV cook is charging £280 for his Christmas Box which is £65 more than last Yuletide.
In May, Kerridge hiked the price of his posh fish finger sandwich at his Harrods restaurant, from £18 to £27, as reported by What’s The Jam.
In October last year, Kerridge sparked fury by charging £37 for fish and chips at the same posh eatery.
Kerridge has two Michelin stars and runs eight restaurants.
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