Celebrity chef Rick Stein has opened up about his life-saving heart surgery on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, and admitted that he believed he would ‘die’ before going under the knife

Celebrated chef Rick Stein recently confessed he thought he “be dead” if not for his vital heart surgery.

The well-known culinary figure appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain this Tuesday (February 25) to speak about his long-standing career and also opened up about his past health scares, including a serious heart problem.

The 78-year-old suffered from symptoms of breathlessness for many years before being warned that he needed an operation to save his life.

In 2022, Rick had surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital when tests on his echocardiogram (ECG) revealed his aorta was deteriorating.

On today’s edition of GMB, presenter Susanna Reid asked him, as reported by Cornwall Live: “A couple of years ago, you had life-saving heart surgery.

“I know that your feeling is, ‘I’m healthy, I’m well, I look forward,’ but do you, sort of, just sometimes think, ‘Goodness me, it could have gone another way.”

Rick added: “To be honest, Susanna, if I hadn’t of had it, I’d be dead.”

He recalled a post-surgery conversation with a journalist from The Times, saying: “It’s funny because afterwards, I did this interview for The Times, and the guy said, ‘How are you? ‘ and I said, ‘I’m extremely well, with the best will in the world, and I’m feeling really well, but I can only live another 20 years, right? ‘ But they cut out the last bit because I said, ‘I’m gonna die, you know’.”

Rick mused humorously: “‘I’m not gonna last,’ that’s what I said,” prompting co-presenter Richard Madeley to comment on Rick’s current vitality: “Well, you’re still going strong.”

Rick shared his excitement about his upcoming tour, set to commence next month. The renowned chef plans to sweep across the nation’s theatres, presenting a host of stories and experiences garnered from an impressive career that has spanned almost 50 years.

“I did it this time last year, and it was a success, basically. I think most of the audience knows me from all the television programmes, so it’s sort of like talking to people. It’s not like being a stand-up comedian and having to say that you’re actually funny – people know who I am,” Rick revealed. Despite being notably reserved, Rick admitted that his ability to enthrall audiences with his tales came as a surprise: “It surprises me because I’m quite shy, and I’m quite good at anecdotes on stage.”

‘An Evening with Rick Stein’ is scheduled for 11 evenings, beginning at Brighton’s Theatre Royal on March 2 and culminating at Kendal’s Leisure Centre on March 15.