'Gordon Ramsay is nothing like he is on TV'

A site manager who commuted every morning from Birmingham to London to help build Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant says he is "a really really nice bloke".

Terry Mellor, from Stirchley, took part in the Netflix documentary series Being Gordon Ramsay, which follows the life of the TV chef as he prepares to open his latest project, 22 Bishopsgate.

This was the fifth build Mellor has worked on for Ramsay and described it as the "biggest and most challenging" one yet.

"Gordon's standards are very high and if we weren't achieving those goals I don't think we'd be where we are now," he said.

Ramsay is known for his fiery persona as a TV chef in shows such as Hell's Kitchen and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

"I'd say he's nothing what you see on TV. To me, that's for TV," Mellor said.

"He's a really really nice bloke. He's always got time to speak to the lads when he comes and visits".

Since the documentary launched in February, Mellor has been asked for photographs around his local area.

He said: "It's weird, you know, for a normal person from Kings Heath, living in Stirchley and people pointing you out and wanting a selfie with you. It's surreal".

Mellor also said he had felt a little embarrassed the first time he walked through London Euston Station and spotted himself next to Ramsay on a billboard.

The 60-year-old started his career in construction in the 1980s, before working at JLR Solihull for 13 years. He now works for a company called Thompsons.

22 Bishopsgate boasts three of Ramsay's restaurants - Lucky Cat on level 60 with its roof terrace opening later this year, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High and Bread Street Kitchen & Bar on level 59 opening in May.

Mellor said one of the main challenges was getting all the equipment up that many levels.

"We also had to get power up to level 61.... and some of that machinery is massive," he said.

Mellor said he would like to work on more projects with Ramsay in the future, adding that how Ramsay splits his time between work and family is "unbelievable".

"I've got a lot of respect for that man," Mellor added.

Speaking on the Netflix documentary, Ramsay also had some praise for Mellor.

"Terry is a guy who will give you his word, and will run to the end of the world for you," he said.

"Some people you meet in life, you see money first before dedication. With Terry, it's purely dedication...he's delivered."

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