Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares restaurant badly damaged

A Hampshire restaurant that featured on the Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares programme just before Christmas has been badly damaged in a fire.

Police and fire officers are still probing the cause of the fire at The Granary in Titchfield.

A separate attempt to start a fire at the restaurant two weeks ago was identified by police and fire officers as the work of an arsonist.

Restaurant owner Nigel Nieddu, who is currently on a business trip to Spain, described to local media his shock at hearing the news.

He said: "A friend, who was with me, said I went completely white and nearly vomited. I was that terribly shocked.

"I have put my heart and soul into the business. My wife is also totally distraught, in pieces. We have no idea in any shape or form why this has happened."

In the programme Ramsay attempted to help the restaurant reverse heavy losses. Viewers could saw Ramsay and Mr Nieddu become locked in fierce argument over the state of the restaurant.

The Granary, which opened in 2003, had gone for an upmarket niche and had attracted celebrities such as Chris Evans and East Enders actor Dean Gaffney as well as a number of premiership footballers and Big Brother celebrities.

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By Andrew Smith