Rachel Allen opens up about her eldest son Joshua and his conviction for drug dealing in her first TV interview about it tomorrow.
The celebrity chef comes clean on Living With Lucy about how his brushes with the law have affected the rest of the family.
Now 21, Josh has taken up Mixed Martial Arts in a bid to turn his life around after serving time in jail for having €22,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply.
He was convicted of six offences in relation to the cannabis stash which was found at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, and is currently appealing a conviction for possession of cocaine.
Rachel and her husband Isaac have remained silent on the subject for two years – but she tells Lucy Kennedy how they are trying to move forward as a family. She said: “You know that expression, you’re only as happy as your least happy child? It’s true.
“You say I’ll stop worrying about my children when they’re old enough to stop worrying about, but they’re never old enough to stop worrying about.” Best-selling author Rachel, who has just turned 50, admitted she felt a certain amount of guilt over the scrutiny Josh was subjected to as a result of her celebrity status.
She revealed: “I do feel bad about that, I do feel my kids are under greater pressure because of my fame, that is definitely a factor.”
Mum-of-three Rachel told how Josh has now immersed himself in his MMA fighting and training, and has discovered a talent for stone carving.
She said: “With Josh it has brought home to me that, you know, parenthood is so hard.
“But he’s still so young and I know we still have a distance to go... you’re there for them, you will literally put your life on the line to help them. Now that I’m seeing Josh with this new focus, this amazing determination and discipline... and I love that.
“I can see that inner happiness in him and I love that. I’m so hopeful and positive... I think he’ll be okay.”
- Living with Lucy is on Virgin Media One tomorrow at 9pm.
