Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay revealed he has had surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma.
The 58-year-old posted images on Instagram showing stitches and a large bandage beneath his ear.
Alongside the photos he thanked medical staff and urged fans to protect themselves from the sun.
Ramsay wrote: “Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this basal cell carcinoma, thank you. Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend. I promise you it’s not a facelift. I’d need a refund.”
The comments drew thousands of reactions, with many fans wishing him a swift recovery.
Reactions from family, friends and charities
Messages of support poured in under Ramsay’s post.
TV judge Robert Rinder added a heart emoji, while his daughter Holly wrote: “love you dad” with a heart emoji.
One fan commented: “So glad you're sorted! Speedy recovery, Chef.”
Another shared: “My mom died after only 7 weeks of discovering she had stage 4 melanoma cancer at only 45 years old. Definitely be safe in the sun and go to the dermatologist regularly for skin checks ❤️❤️❤️.”
Cancer Research UK also responded, saying: “Glad to hear you’re doing well, Gordon, and thanks for raising awareness of how important it is to stay safe in the sun. Seek shade, cover up and apply sunscreen regularly and generously.”
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is the most common type of skin cancer.
According to the NHS, it develops in the top layer of skin and is mainly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds.
The Mayo Clinic explains it often appears on exposed areas like the head, neck, or face.
Unlike more aggressive forms of skin cancer, BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
However, untreated lesions can cause lasting damage to surrounding tissue.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Early symptoms to watch for
BCC can resemble harmless skin changes at first. Doctors warn people to watch for:
Who is most at risk?
Several factors increase the risk of basal cell carcinoma.
A dermatologist usually begins with a physical exam followed by a biopsy.
If confirmed, treatment options vary depending on the size and location of the lesion.
Who is Gordon Ramsay?
Ramsay is one of Britain’s most recognised chefs, known worldwide for programmes such as Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef.
His restaurant group has been awarded 17 Michelin stars in total and currently holds eight.
He also appears on ITV’s Gordon, Gino and Fred travel series alongside Gino d’Acampo and Fred Sirieix.
At 58, Ramsay continues to balance his television career with running restaurants and global food ventures. His personal update, shared directly with fans, underlines the importance of routine health checks and sun safety.
Ramsay’s announcement highlights a simple but often overlooked truth: sun exposure carries risks.
His own words sum it up best: “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend.”
For millions who follow his work, it is a reminder to take care, notice changes in their skin and protect themselves before problems arise.
The 58-year-old posted images on Instagram showing stitches and a large bandage beneath his ear.
Alongside the photos he thanked medical staff and urged fans to protect themselves from the sun.
Ramsay wrote: “Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this basal cell carcinoma, thank you. Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend. I promise you it’s not a facelift. I’d need a refund.”
The comments drew thousands of reactions, with many fans wishing him a swift recovery.
Reactions from family, friends and charities
Messages of support poured in under Ramsay’s post.
TV judge Robert Rinder added a heart emoji, while his daughter Holly wrote: “love you dad” with a heart emoji.
One fan commented: “So glad you're sorted! Speedy recovery, Chef.”
Another shared: “My mom died after only 7 weeks of discovering she had stage 4 melanoma cancer at only 45 years old. Definitely be safe in the sun and go to the dermatologist regularly for skin checks ❤️❤️❤️.”
Cancer Research UK also responded, saying: “Glad to hear you’re doing well, Gordon, and thanks for raising awareness of how important it is to stay safe in the sun. Seek shade, cover up and apply sunscreen regularly and generously.”
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is the most common type of skin cancer.
According to the NHS, it develops in the top layer of skin and is mainly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds.
The Mayo Clinic explains it often appears on exposed areas like the head, neck, or face.
Unlike more aggressive forms of skin cancer, BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
However, untreated lesions can cause lasting damage to surrounding tissue.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Early symptoms to watch for
BCC can resemble harmless skin changes at first. Doctors warn people to watch for:
- A shiny, pearly bump with visible blood vessels
- A flat or scar-like patch that does not heal
- Open sores that bleed, crust, or persist
- Raised pink growths with indented centres
- Spots that itch, hurt, or slowly expand
Who is most at risk?
Several factors increase the risk of basal cell carcinoma.
- The strongest link is prolonged UV exposure, whether from the sun or sunbeds.
- Those with fair skin, light-coloured eyes and hair are more vulnerable to UV damage.
- The risk rises with age, particularly after 50, though cases are increasing in younger people.
- A history of skin cancer, exposure to radiation or arsenic, and weakened immune systems are also noted risks.
A dermatologist usually begins with a physical exam followed by a biopsy.
If confirmed, treatment options vary depending on the size and location of the lesion.
- Surgery: either standard excision or Mohs micrographic surgery, the latter often used on the face.
- Electrodessication and curettage: scraping the lesion then cauterising it.
- Cryosurgery: freezing the growth.
- Topical creams: such as Imiquimod for superficial cancers.
- Photodynamic therapy: light-activated medication.
- Advanced cases: targeted therapies or chemotherapy, though this is rare.
Who is Gordon Ramsay?
Ramsay is one of Britain’s most recognised chefs, known worldwide for programmes such as Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and MasterChef.
His restaurant group has been awarded 17 Michelin stars in total and currently holds eight.
He also appears on ITV’s Gordon, Gino and Fred travel series alongside Gino d’Acampo and Fred Sirieix.
At 58, Ramsay continues to balance his television career with running restaurants and global food ventures. His personal update, shared directly with fans, underlines the importance of routine health checks and sun safety.
Ramsay’s announcement highlights a simple but often overlooked truth: sun exposure carries risks.
His own words sum it up best: “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend.”
For millions who follow his work, it is a reminder to take care, notice changes in their skin and protect themselves before problems arise.
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