‘I HAD THE WORST TIME AT SCHOOL – I WAS A FAILURE'
OK! UK|February 07, 2022
FOODIE LEGEND JAMIE OLIVER ON HIS SONS FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS AND WHY HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE TRYING TO LAUGH MORE
ELLIE KIRWIN-JONES
‘I HAD THE WORST TIME AT SCHOOL – I WAS A FAILURE'

Jamie Oliver – doting father-of-five and Britain’s favourite chef – taught us all that anyone can knock up a pukka Mediterranean salmon or get the gang round for a Sunday roast with a twist.

Now, as we’re shown around Jamie Oliver HQ in London, The Naked Chef himself tells us he’s on an exciting new quest. He’s hoping to find the next cookbook star, someone to follow in his footsteps, with a Penguin Random House book deal up for grabs in a brand new Channel 4 competition.

Since Jamie was discovered while working as a sous-chef 25 years ago, he has barely stopped and he now has 24 best-selling cookery books to his name. So it’s no surprise that when he walks into the room, he tells us he is always the first person to arrive at HQ at 6am every single day.

But Jamie, 46, also reveals that he’s been enjoying a bit of a break lately, having recently moved out of the capital with his wife Jools, 47, and their children – Poppy, 19, Daisy, 18, Petal, 12, Buddy, 11, and River, five.

“We moved out of London and we’re sort of trying to laugh more and have less pressure on our shoulders,” Jamie says.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OK! UKView all
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
OK! UK

A CITY OF TWO HALVES

There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'Christmas is a double whammy'
OK! UK

'Christmas is a double whammy'

Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
OK! UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
OK! UK

'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'

Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
OK! UK

THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS

A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I think we arrived right on time'
OK! UK

'I think we arrived right on time'

The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts

time-read
6 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'No one knows who I am'
OK! UK

'No one knows who I am'

Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity

time-read
5 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
OK! UK

'I still pinch myself about how we met'

Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025

time-read
7 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THE ROYAL WEEK
OK! UK

THE ROYAL WEEK

It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
OK! UK

WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities

time-read
6 mins  |
December 02, 2024