'Heartbroken' Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver leads tributes to late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain following his death aged 61

Bourdain's death was announced on Friday
In memory: Nigella Lawson has said she is 'heartbroken' by Anthony Bourdain's death
Channel 4
Natasha Sporn8 June 2018
The Weekender

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Nigella Lawson has paid tribute to celebrity chef and friend Anthony Bourdain on Friday after his death, aged 61, saying she is "heartbroken".

Bourdain working in France on an upcoming episode of CNN show Parts Unknown when he was found unresponsive in an apparent suicide .

CNN confirmed the sad news in a statement, reading: “It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain.

“His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller.

"His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Lawson, who once fronted a show The Taste together and were firm friends, tweeted: “Heartbroken to hear about Tony Bourdain’s death. "Unbearable for his family and girlfriend. “

The Taste, an American show, featured the two celebrity chefs alongside Ludo Lefebvre and Marcus Samuelsson as they blindly judged the contestants on their food before mentoring some of the cooks in the later rounds.

The successful 2013 show was also picked up by Channel 4 for a UK version, starring three of the judges (Samuelsson missing), a year later and spanned one series.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver shared a picture of Bourdain on his Instagram page, writing of his "shock".

He said: "I have to say I'm in total shock to hear that the amazing @anthonybourdain has just died.

"He really broke the mould, pushed the culinary conversation and was the most brilliant writer ... he leaves chefs and fans around the world with a massive foodie hole that simply can't be replaced ... rest in peace chef."

Tribute: Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was found dead on Friday, CNN said in a statement
AFP/Getty Images

Model Chrissy Teigen, who is married to John Legend, wrote: “Anthony. One of my idols.

"Unapologetic, passionate and one of the best storytellers on the planet.

“Thank you for making food so exciting. And always standing up for everything right.

"Horrible. Why why why. Be at peace now :(.”

It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball shared the news in a quoted tweet, adding a broken heart emoji.

Fans of the late chef as well as several colleagues posted poignant tributes, as did food writers across the world.

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