Keith Floyd sent to hospital

1 February 2008 - TV chef Keith Floyd was taken to hospital on Tuesday (29.01.08) with "probable exhaustion".

The 64-year-old restaurateur was rushed to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after collapsing in Stoke-on-Trent's Chesters pub, run by his friend Glenn Geldard, where he was scheduled to launch a newly-refurbished bar.

His agent, Stan Green, said: "It's probably exhaustion. He was in hospital a year ago with a similar complaint.

"He recovered from that, so let's hope he recovers from this. We understand he's stable."

However, Mr Geldard, 54, claimed the collapse was bought on by excessive drinking stemming from his recent split from his 42-year-old fourth wife Tess.

He said: "Keith is very poorly at the moment so we are all hoping he battles back to full health. It's been a very difficult time for him. He split from Tess shortly before Christmas and recently he's been burying himself in his work.

"He's only just flown back to the UK from Thailand, where he had been working in his restaurant for the last six months. That had really taken it out of him and he looked shattered. He had moved up here because of personal problems. I think his failing health is a mixture of factors.

"He has been very depressed and hasn't been eating properly - he looks malnourished. Keith has been staying with me to help sort himself out and help relaunch the pub. The locals have really taken to him since he's been here and has spent the last week or so chatting with the regulars."

Green denied the claims, adding: "Everyone knows Keith likes a drink - his favourite tipple is Scotch. But it has never been a problem for him and I doubt whether it is a factor in his collapse."

The chef - who shot to fame with cookery programmes including 'Floyd on Fish' - was banned from driving for two-and-a-half years in 2004 after crashing his car while he was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.

(C) BANG Media International