French chef and restaurateur Michel Roux has died after a lengthy battle with lung disease.
Michel co-founded the UK's first Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gavroche, with his brother Albert in 1967.
Le Gavroche became the country's first eatery to receive three Michelin stars in 1982 and the brothers' Waterside Inn restaurant in Bray took three stars in 1985.
Michel the terminal lung condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, reports The Mirror .
In a statement, Michel's son Alain and his daughters Francine and Christine said: "It is with deep sadness that the Roux family announces the passing of our beloved grandfather, father, brother and uncle, Michel Roux OBE.
"The family would like to thank everyone for their support during his illness. While many of you will share our great sense of loss, we request privacy for the family at this difficult time.
They went on: "We are grateful to have shared our lives with this extraordinary man and we’re so proud of all he’s achieved.
"A humble genius, legendary chef, popular author and charismatic teacher, Michel leaves the world reeling in his wake.
"For many, he was a father figure inspiring all with his insatiable appetite for life and irresistible enthusiasm. But above all, we will miss his mischievous sense of fun, his huge, bottomless heart and generosity and kindness that knew no bounds.
"Michel's star will shine forever lighting the way for a generation of chefs to follow."
The foodie retired from his business at the Waterside Inn in 2002, handing over the reins to his son Alain - but refusing to give up food altogether.
"A lot of what I do now is a continuation of what my father was working towards and what we worked towards together," Alain told the Caterer in 2010.
"He still comes in and tastes all my dishes to give feedback."
