Popular chef Gordon Ramsay’s ‘ex-mistress’ lashes out at ‘fake and misleading’ Netflix documentary

The woman who has long claimed she had an affair with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has criticised his new Netflix documentary, calling it “fake and misleading.”

The six-part series Being Gordon Ramsay follows the 59-year-old restaurateur over nine months as he launches a major new restaurant venture at 22 Bishopsgate in London. The programme also focuses heavily on his family life with wife Tana and their six children, portraying a more reflective and softer side to the famously fiery chef known for shows like Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef USA.

However, Sarah Symonds, who previously alleged she had a seven-year affair with Ramsay between 2001 and 2008, has publicly challenged the image presented in the series.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Symonds described the documentary as “totally fake,” arguing that it presents a polished version of events that does not align with her experience. She rejected the portrayal of Ramsay as a devoted family man, claiming he behaved like someone without domestic responsibilities during the period she says they were involved.

Symonds first went public with her allegations in 2008, claims Ramsay has consistently denied. At the time, the chef strongly refuted the affair allegations and maintained that he had only met her a handful of times.

Following the controversy nearly two decades ago, Ramsay and his wife Tana publicly renewed their wedding vows. The couple, who married in 1996, have since continued to expand their family and frequently present a united front in interviews and public appearances.

In recent comments, Symonds suggested the renewed attention surrounding Ramsay’s personal life has been difficult for her, saying that media coverage of the documentary has resurfaced painful memories. She has also indicated she is considering possible legal action.

Representatives for Ramsay have previously denied the affair allegations. At the time of writing, no new legal proceedings have been confirmed.

The documentary continues to stream on Netflix, offering viewers an inside look at Ramsay’s business ambitions and family life, though, as the renewed dispute shows, interpretations of his past remain sharply contested.