TV personality and culinary maestro Sir Loyd Grossman has led a rather colourful life. The 74-year-old is perhaps most recognised for his £50 million pasta empire, but what’s the story behind his success?
Born in Boston, USA, Grossman is the offspring of Jewish antique dealer David and mother Helen. He possesses dual American and British citizenship, having moved to the UK in 1975 to further his studies at the London School of Economics, reports the Express.
It was here where he bagged a master’s degree in economic history. Loyd then ventured into journalism, earning a name as a reputable restaurant critic for publications like GQ and The Sunday Times. His TV career took flight in 1983, and he’s probably best remembered as the original host of Through The Keyhole.
READ MORE:
The show became a primetime favourite by 1987 and remained one of ITV’s top-rated shows, with Grossman steering the ship until 2003. During the 90s, he hosted the BBC’s MasterChef and appeared in various other programmes, including Loyd on Location, The History of British Sculpture and Behind the Headlines.
A lesser-known tidbit about Loyd is his musical prowess; he was a guitarist for punk band Jet Bronx And The Forbidden. Their track ‘Ain’t Doin’ Nothing’; climbed to number 47 on the UK Singles Chart, and after the band’s dissolution, he formed The New Forbidden with Valentine Guinness. This ensemble has performed at Glastonbury eight times.
Loyd on Pointless Celebrities with Jay Rayner
(Image: BBC)
Away from music, Loyd has garnered substantial recognition for his lucrative sauce range, launched in 1995. The brand has soared to become the top choice among UK celebrity sauces, with availability extending across a myriad of supermarkets throughout the country.
However, in 2011 he was left distressed following an incident where two children from the same family were hospitalised due to botulism poisoning, having consumed one of his korma sauces. At the time, he said: “We just can’t explain how this could have happened because there are security guards in the manufacturing process plus also the botulism should have been killed by the acidity of the sauce itself.”
Loyd tied the knot with Deborah Puttnam, daughter of cinematic icon David Puttnam, in 1985. Together, they welcomed two daughters but ultimately parted ways in 2004. Recently, Loyd entered matrimonial bliss once more when he married Melissa Knatchbull after a seven-year relationship, with the couple opting for a low-key ceremony at the Chelsea Register Office.
Now Sir Loyd following the King’s New Year’s honours, the foodie is a passionate scuba diving enthusiast and actively supports marine conservation. He is a long-standing patron of the Shark Trust, committed to safeguarding the future of sharks.
We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first