Jamie Oliver's wife Jools shares adorable throwback snaps of the television chef as he celebrates his 50th birthday
He's fed prime ministers, fired up school kitchens and famously bared all in the name of good food.
Now Jamie Oliver 's just hit another milestone, with wife Jools hailing him as an 'absolute legend' in a heartfelt tribute marking his 50th birthday.
On Tuesday, Jools posted a warm video montage on Instagram, featuring candid family photos and sweet moments with their five children - Poppy, 22, Daisy, 21, Petal, 15, Buddy, 13, and River, 7.
The pictures showed everything from wedding pictures and family hugs to intimate behind-the-scenes shots, capturing the closeness of their life together.
'Happy birthday my absolute LEGEND, we love you SO much xxx and cannot wait to celebrate you today — 50!' she wrote.
'WOW we are so proud of everything you have achieved so far, you are wonderful xxxx love you xxx.'
'WOW we are so proud of everything you have achieved so far, you are wonderful xxxx love you xxx'
Jamie, best known to a generation of viewers as The Naked Chef, responded in the comments with a flurry of heart emojis.
The couple, who met as teenagers in Essex and married in 2000, are now approaching their 25th wedding anniversary this June.
Over the years, Jamie has often spoken about the grounding role Jools and their family play in his busy life. In a 2021 interview he said: 'I feel very lucky. I started dating Jools when I was 18. She's been a really solid and utterly important part of my life and my job's quite exacting.
'It expects quite a lot, and she's my rock. She allows me to do my thing but then come home and be me … And I think she still quite likes me, which is really nice.'
His mother, Sally Oliver, also shared a public message: 'A very Happy 50th Birthday to our dear son, Jamie. We are truly blessed and grateful to have had this unfailingly kind soul in our lives for the last 50 years.'
Jamie rose to fame in the late 1990s with his accessible cooking style and cheeky Essex charm. His first television series and cookbook, The Naked Chef, launched in 1999 and turned him into a household name.
Over the past two decades, he has published dozens of cookbooks and, in 2023, released his first children's story, Billy and the Giant Adventure.
That same year, he withdrew a separate children's book following criticism from First Nations Australians, issuing an apology.
Long a vocal advocate for children's nutrition, Oliver made national headlines in 2005 when he launched a campaign to reform school dinners, taking aim at the now-infamous Turkey Twizzlers.
His Ministry of Food programme, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, continues to offer practical food education in schools and communities across the UK.
His television credits include Jamie's School Dinners, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, Jamie Cooks Italy, and Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast.
Although his restaurant empire, including Jamie's Italian, went into administration in 2019, Oliver has since returned to the dining scene.
His latest opening, on Catherine Street in London, launched in 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
23 minutes ago
- Reuters
US revokes visas for Bob Vylan after music duo's Glastonbury chants
WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) - The United States has revoked visas for members of Britain's Bob Vylan punk-rap duo after they led chants during their set at the Glastonbury music festival in England over the weekend that the State Department and the BBC, who broadcast the event, said were antisemitic. "The @StateDept has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X on Monday. On Monday, the British broadcaster said it regretted not stopping its livestream of Saturday's event, which included on-stage chants of "death, death to the IDF," a reference to the Israel Defense Forces fighting a war in Gaza, and "From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free." That phrase is often taken in Israel as a call for Israel's destruction and denial of its right to exist, although many Palestinians dispute that characterization. Bob Vylan, known for mixing grime and punk rock, tackles a range of issues including racism, homophobia and the class divide in their songs and has previously voiced support for Palestinians. Its lead vocalist, who goes by the stage name Bobby Vylan, appeared to refer to the weekend performance in a post on Instagram, writing: "I said what I said." "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place," he added. The State Department did not immediately give more details as to the names of those who had visas revoked and what kind of visas they were. Bob Vylan is scheduled to play some concerts in the U.S. in November.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Drake ‘gives away' he'll be joined by US superstar rapper at Wireless festival next week
RAPPER DRAKE has dropped a huge hint that he's set to be joined by US superstar Nicki Minaj at Wireless next month. The One Dance hitmaker, 38, will be headlining all three nights of the London's Finsbury Park for his first full UK performances in six years. 4 4 4 The huge North London Festival will take place on Friday July 11, Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13. Drake will headline the main stage each evening in a deal thought to be worth millions. And now the Hotline Bling singer has hinted fellow rapper Nicki will also be joining him on stage. Drake took to Instagram on Monday and shared a throwback photo of Nicki. But he failed to caption the picture behind posting it, which has left fans guessing if the Starships singer is set to join him at the festival. Drake and Nicki have often teamed up for collaborations together - including their hit track Moment 4 Life and Needle. They have also surprised each other over the years with appearances at each other's gigs. So the duo taking to the stage together next month may not be far off. It follows last year's festival which was headlined by Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, J Hus and Doja Cat. A source said: "It's been months in the making and initially no one thought they could pull it off, but Drake is all signed on to headline all three days of Wireless. "Bosses are naturally overjoyed and expect tickets to sell out in record time. "Exact set lists are still to be worked out but one idea that has been passed about is that Drake will perform some of his albums in full for the first time." In February Drake teamed up with PartyNextDoor to release collaboration album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. On the 21-track album, Drake takes a swipe at his haters and "rap beef" in the industry. On Gimme A Hug he rages: "They be dropping s*** but we dropping harder s***. F*** a rap beef, I'm tryna get the party lit. "Tryna get the party lit for the b****es." Drake last toured the UK in 2019, playing seven nights at London's O2 Arena as part of his Assassination Vacation Tour. In 2021, Drake made a surprise appearance on night one of Wireless Festival - popping up during Future's set. 4
Daily Mail
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Steve Coogan reprises Alan Partridge alter-ego while opening his own SOUND BATH as he joins Charlotte Hawkins and Anthea Turner at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Steve Coogan reprised his iconic Alan Partridge alter-ego as he celebrated the opening of his very own sound bath at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on Monday. A far cry from the straight-laced tone of the inept broadcaster, Alan was on hand to present the opening of his own space, struggling to keep cool in the hot weather. The garden reflected the inept presenter's 'meticulous approach to design, aesthetics, and materials' and is described as being 'a tribute to structure, to durability, and to personal resonance.' The RHS invited visitors 'to experience a space that is both purposeful and forward-looking.' It's no surprise that the garden comes with a unique comedic twist, and the character's observations about his creation are channelled through sound waves. Designers Joe and Laura said: 'We have had a test-run of the garden during the pre-build stage, and the moment we heard Alan's voice come through the sculptural speakers - everything made sense, in a very funny, very Alan sort of way.' Alan appeared to be up to his usual antics as he was photographed speaking into a seemingly non-existent mic and fanning himself with headphones on. The designers admitted: 'We developed the idea that Alan would want to showcase his broadcasting mastery... ' Also in attendance at the garden festival on Monday were presenters Anthea Turner, 65, and Charlotte Hawkins, 50. They were a vision in bright floral colours as they took in some of the many displays at the show, which is running from July 1 to 6. The pair were all smiles as they posed with flowers from the exhibits, with this year's show featuring a new Gardens of Curiosity category - designed to be interactive and thought-provoking for visitors. Anthea stunned in a patterned pink dress, keeping herself cool in the UK's ongoing heatwave with a straw hat. Charlotte similarly wore a bright orange dress, adding a touch of glamour to the look with gold jewellery. Steve's appearance at the Alan Partridge Sound Garden comes after he recently admitted that the character became an albatross around his neck over time. Speaking to Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett for the seventh season of their Dish from Waitrose Podcast, he said: 'There was a time when I felt saddled with it. 'So, when I do Partridge, I do it through choice. Not because I have to.' 'I'm doing some stuff at the moment, and it does make me laugh, so… I make notes in my phone. 'I think, I have a funny idea, I'm on the train and I'm chuckling to myself. I will laugh at myself as a Partridge comes into my head, and put it in my phone, on my own. 'Or I'll look in a shop window and think about, I might say, "oh, what would Alan say about that. I'm still doing it now thirty years later, so it's like a condition now.' Steve's career-defining character earned him no less than six awards - the most recent coming in 2017 at the TV BAFTA's, where Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle secured Best Male Comedy Performance for the actor.
