Team GB star Adam Peaty has revealed how Gordon Ramsay pulled him out of a ‘deep, dark hole’ after he started dating the chef’s daughter Holly. The multi-gold medal Olympian, who is defending his titles at the Paris Games, spiralled into depression and alcoholism after his eight-year unbeaten run ended at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The Staffordshire swimmer also split from the mother of his son. The 29-year-old described the time as ‘three years of hell’ but confessed he only managed to get back on track when he started a relationship with Holly Ramsay.
Peaty – a three-time Olympic gold medallist – is one of Team GB’s great hopes for the Games. He is seeking his third consecutive 100m breaststroke Olympic gold in Paris tonight, Sunday, July 28.
He revealed how eight-Michelin star chef Ramsay played a crucial role in transforming him from a drinker and a party-goer to a focused athlete once again, Mirror reports. He told The Sunday Times in April 2024: “He [Ramsay] is an incredible energy to be around and an incredible person to have that guidance from. Gordon is a high performer.
” He worked his way up to the upper echelons of his industry and works in a place where there’s no bulls***. I take a lot from that and from the professionalism he has every single day with a relentless pursuit.
” So, when I see that, I’m like “yeah, why can’t I work like this? Why can’t I do this every single day? Why do I have to be so emotionally engaged with things?”.”
Adam and Holly began dating in May 2023 and went public with their relationship a month later. They unveiled matching tattoo tributes to each other in December.
Peaty – who qualified for Paris after winning the British 100m men’s breaststroke with his fastest time since 2021 – appears to get along with his possible future father-in-law. Ramsay aimed one of his famous remarks at Peaty during a conversation ahead of the Olympics – but the athlete saw the funny side.
The chef quizzed Peaty on his post-Olympic plans., to which the Team GB ace responded: “Who knows? You’re smiling, I’m not going to give you the pleasure. I’m not going to do it. You’re trapping me.”
The Hell’s Kitchen star went on to launch a typically potty-mouthed response, firing back: “You’re full of s***! You are definitely not retiring. Absolutely, definitely not retiring.” He even managed to slip in another cheeky joke, adding: “Very best of luck. Don’t f*** this up.”
