Gordon Ramsay has been forced to take out loans to secure the future of his restaurant empire amid the pandemic's dramatic effect on the economy it has been claimed.
The multi-millionaire chef, 53, has registered charges with Barclays against 16 firms, which includes those managing some of his Michelin star restaurants, according to Sun Online.
And those firms include companies that run his three-Michelin-star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, one-Michelin-star Petrus and the Savoy Grill.
The father-of-five - who's worth a whopping £185 million - also reportedly took out two other loans for Bread Street Kitchen, Heddon Street Kitchen, London House, Union Street Cafe and Gordon Ramsay Plane Food at Heathrow Airport - all of which are ultimately owned by Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Ltd.
Gordon's representatives denied that any of the loans were funded by the government.
A company spokesperson told Mirror Online: "We are a privately owned and privately funded business.
"Any financial agreements between our bank and our owner has nothing to do with any of the government funded loan schemes."
It comes as the restaurateur was slammed for laying off more than 500 of his staff after temporarily closing his restaurants as the coronavirus crisis worsens.
Gordon called staff to a meeting where they were told their contracts were being axed.
Tearful staff had no idea their jobs were at risk and have now been placed on garden leave for the duration of their notice period.
His workers - including chefs, waiters and other employees - have been told by email they will get paid up until April 17, but say there is no guarantee their job will still be available when Ramsay's restaurants eventually reopen.
Gordon himself had paid tribute to his staff on Instagram when he announced his decision to temporarily shut down his restaurants on Instagram.
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