Legendary chef and restaurant founder Antonio Carluccio has sadly passed away, aged 80.

In a statement, the Italian chef's agent said: "It is with great sadness that we announce that Commendatore Antonio Carluccio OBE sadly passed away this morning."

Carluccio was known for his Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's, which was founded in 1999, and for appearing in TV programmes such as BBC Two series The Two Greedy Italians along with chef Gennaro Contaldo.

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He received the Commendatore, the equivalent of a British knighthood, from the Italian government in 1998 for services to Italy, and also famously mentored fellow TV chef Jamie Oliver.

In 2007, he received an OBE from the Queen for his services to the catering industry.

From: Digital Spy