'It was horrible for her but she saved my life': Heston Blumenthal tearfully reveals his wife Melanie was forced to have him sectioned during his bipolar battle

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By MADISON BURGESS, JUNIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

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Heston Blumenthal was in tears as he bravely opened up about how his wife Melanie Ceysson saved his life by admitting him to hospital under the Mental Health Act during his bipolar disorder battle.

The celebrity chef, 58, described the ordeal during an appearance on The One Show on Tuesday evening, going into detail about the 'horrible' situation that led to him to be diagnosed with the mental health condition last year.

Lifting the lid on what happened, he said: 'As a chef I've been called everything from a culinary maverick to a genius. These ideas brought me incredible highs, but I also had some crashing lows.

'These recurring highs to lows were getting stronger and stronger and more regular.

'I was on a massive high and had been for several days. I was having hallucinations, feelings of paranoia, and even suicidal thoughts.'

Heston Blumenthal was in tears as he bravely opened up about how his wife Melanie Ceysson saved his life by admitting him to hospital under the Mental Health Act during his bipolar disorder battle

Heston Blumenthal was in tears as he bravely opened up about how his wife Melanie Ceysson saved his life by admitting him to hospital under the Mental Health Act during his bipolar disorder battle 

The celebrity chef, 58, described the ordeal during an appearance on The One Show on Tuesday evening, alongside Melanie

The celebrity chef, 58, described the ordeal during an appearance on The One Show on Tuesday evening, alongside Melanie

Heston admitted: 'It was my wife Melanie who got me the help I needed after witnessing so many extremes in my behaviour.' 

The Michelin-starred chef's 36-year-old wife described her husband's moods as a 'tornado' and worried that he was a danger to himself.

Recalling the moment she was forced to have him admitted to hospital, Melanie said: 'It's when I pushed the red button,' adding that the aftermath was 'the most horrible hours' of her life.

Heston explained: 'Melanie made the difficult decision to have me sectioned, which involved me being sedated.

'There was a knock on the door, there's a policeman, then five firemen and then a doctor with an assistant and I was like 'What the hell is going on here?' And then I saw the doctor pulling out this big syringe and then I woke up in hospital.'

Reflecting, he told Melanie: 'I realise now looking back on it, it's horrible for people that care about you. At the end of the day, you saved my life.'

The TV chef added: 'Since my diagnosis I've learned a lot more about myself, and I've realised that a lot of my creativity is thanks to bipolar.

'I'm hoping that talking about it can change the way we see the condition and put it in the spotlight for all the right reasons.'

The Michelin-starred chef's 36-year-old wife described her husband's moods as a 'tornado' and worried that he was a danger to himself

The Michelin-starred chef's 36-year-old wife described her husband's moods as a 'tornado' and worried that he was a danger to himself

Heaton explained: 'Melanie made the difficult decision to have me sectioned, which involved me being sedated'

Heaton explained: 'Melanie made the difficult decision to have me sectioned, which involved me being sedated'

Reflecting, he told Melanie: 'I realise now looking back on it, it's horrible for people that care about you. At the end of the day, you saved my life'

Reflecting, he told Melanie: 'I realise now looking back on it, it's horrible for people that care about you. At the end of the day, you saved my life'

Heston, who has been open about his personal life, received a positive assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) back in 2017, before getting his bipolar diagnosis in May this year.

The celebrity cook is known for owning the Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, which has earned three-Michelin stars and has has previously been listed in the World's 50 Best Restaurants. 

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, can cause people to have extreme mood swings. 

It gives them episodes of depression - feeling very low and lethargic - and mania, feeling very high and overactive.

When he opened up about the diagnosis in May, he also credited his neurodivergence as playing a big role in the success of his business.

'My most artistic, innovative and exciting work is because I am neurodivergent, which I describe as my superpower,' he said.

Heston and entrepreneur Melanie tied the knot in March of 2023, in a picture-postcard village in Provence, the area that inspired Heston to become a chef.

The couple met while she was working at a hotel in Val-d'Isere, the ski resort in the French Alps and he was staying there for a Christmas holiday with his table-tennis coach.

His last wedding was in 2018 with another French woman, Stephanie Gouveia, the mother of his youngest child.

The newlyweds later held a reception at their house nearby for around 60 guests, who included Blumenthal's fellow TV chef Raymond Blanc, owner of the two Michelin-starred Oxfordshire restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, former BBC director-general Lord Birt and Great British Menu judge Matthew Fort. 

Guests were served a series of Blumenthal's signature dishes from his restaurants, such as jelly of oyster and passion fruit, meat fruit, triple-cooked chips and Scotch eggs.

What is bipolar disorder and how is it managed?

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, can cause people to have extreme mood swings.

It gives them episodes of depression - feeling very low and lethargic - and mania, feeling very high and overactive.

Each extreme episode of the condition can last for several weeks, and some sufferers may not often experience a 'normal' mood.

Treatment options for managing bipolar disorder include mood stabilisers or psychological treatment, such as talking therapy.

Doing regular exercise and planning activities that give a sense of achievement are also recommended by the NHS.

Bipolar disorder is believed to be caused by extreme stress, overwhelming problems and life-changing events – as well as genetic and chemical factors.

Heston Blumenthal

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