Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has revealed he recently underwent surgery to remove skin cancer from his face. The 58-year-old British restaurateur shared the news with his 19.2 million Instagram followers on Saturday, posting photos of his bandaged face and surgical stitches.
Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. The tumor was located near his ear and jawline, requiring surgical removal. The chef thanked the medical team at The Skin Associates for their work in treating his condition.
“Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend,” Ramsay urged his fans in the Instagram post. He also joked about his appearance, adding that it was not a face lift and he would need a refund if it was. The Hell’s Kitchen star shared two photos showing the extent of his treatment, including a large bandage covering the surgical area and visible stitches running from his earlobe down to his neck.
What you need to know about basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting about 3.6 million Americans each year. The cancer starts in the basal cells, which are found in the lower part of the skin’s outer layer. These cells constantly make new skin cells as old ones die off.
This type of skin cancer usually appears on areas of the body that get a lot of sun exposure, such as the face, head, neck, and arms. Most cases are caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or tanning beds. The cancer typically grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Basal cell carcinoma can take many different forms. It might look like a shiny, skin-colored bump, a brown or black lesion, a flat scaly patch, or a white waxy scar-like area. Sometimes it appears as an open sore that bleeds or crusts over. The cancer is highly treatable when caught early, with cure rates around 90 to 93 percent for surgical removal.
Ramsay’s diagnosis adds to a growing list of celebrities who have faced health challenges, highlighting the importance of regular health screenings. The chef joins other public figures who have used their platforms to raise awareness about skin cancer prevention, similar to how other celebrities have been open about their medical experiences.
The star of Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef has built a global restaurant empire with over 80 locations worldwide. He continues to appear on television shows including his latest program, Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service, which premiered on Fox in May. Despite the health scare, Ramsay maintained his characteristic humor throughout his announcement, reassuring fans while emphasizing the serious message about sun safety.
Fans and fellow celebrities flooded the comments section with well wishes for the chef’s recovery. His daughter Holly wrote “Love you dad” in response to the post, while many followers thanked him for raising awareness about skin cancer prevention. The overwhelming response showed support for both his recovery and his important public health message about sunscreen use.
