MasterChef contestant dies after collapsing at the London Marathon

23 April 2018, 12:07 | Updated: 23 April 2018, 12:20

A MasterChef contestant has died after collapsing at the London Marathon.

29-year-old Matt Campbell collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark, and died later in hospital.

He reached the semi finals of Masterchef: The Professionals in December 2017. He had been running the race - which was confirmed as the hottest ever on record - for his father who died 18 months ago.

He had posted on Twitter that it was his second marathon in two weeks.

The chef had passed his £2,500 target for The Brathay Trust, in honour of his father Martin, which helps vulnerable children and young people.

In a statement, race organisers said: "Everyone involved in the organisation of the London marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt's family and friends.

"No further details will be released and the family has asked for privacy. The exact cause of death will be established by later medical examination."

Matt Campbell started his career working in Mitchelin-starred restaurants, after finishing second in the BBC's Young Chef of the Year, aged just 20 in 2009.

His website states that he left the UK for the French Alps, working in private villas and "award-winning luxury" ski chalets.

After returning to the UK, he entered Masterchef: The Professionals last year and finished as a semi-finalist.