Image copyright Twitter Image caption Matt Campbell on the right was running his second marathon in two weeks

A MasterChef semi-finalist has died after collapsing during the London Marathon, it has been confirmed.

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

He appeared on the BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals in December 2017, and had been running the race - the hottest on record - for his father who died 18 months ago.

His social media posts said that it was his second marathon in a fortnight.

The Kendal chef was running the race for The Brathay Trust in honour of his father Martin.

Donations to his sponsorship fund have risen to more than £53,000 - far exceeding his original target of £2,500.

Read more on this and other Cumbria stories

On 8 April Mr Campbell completed the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon.

Helen Hokin, who was Mr Campbell's PR consultant, said: "He was a lovely, kind-hearted and down-to-earth man. I believe he was poised to become the next great innovator in British food.

"He was in the middle of a roadshow tour and he had such a way with inspiring young chefs. This is so sad."

Mr Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred restaurants after finishing second in the BBC's Young Chef of the Year aged 20 in 2009.

According to his website he left the UK for the French Alps and worked in private villas and "award-winning luxury" ski chalets.

He returned to the UK, last year and entered MasterChef: The Professionals where he reached the semi-finals.

Image copyright Masterchef Image caption Matt Campbell was a semi-finalist on BBC's MasterChef: the Professionals in 2017

A spokeswoman for MasterChef said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear the news about Matt Campbell, one of our talented contestants from last year.

"It was a privilege to have him on the show. He will always be remembered for producing some of the most innovative and groundbreaking food that we saw on the series.

"From the whole MasterChef team, our sincere condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends."

Michelin-starred chef, and MasterChef: The Professionals judge Marcus Wareing, has also paid tribute:

Skip Twitter post by @marcuswareing It is with huge sadness that I received the news of Matt Campbell's untimely death earlier today. He was a talented, innovative and driven chef with a bright future ahead of him. My thoughts are with his friends & family at this tragic time. — Marcus Wareing (@marcuswareing) April 23, 2018 Report

According to his Justgiving page, he only completed his first ever marathon with his late father Martin and brother Josh in 2016.

Speaking of his father he said: "The past year and a half have been the toughest of my life but his spirit and energy live on in me.

"He was the most inspirational man in my life and was the one who said: 'go on, why don't you give it a go? I know you can do it' and entered me into my first marathon."

Food journalist Jay Rayner has tweeted his condolences:

Skip Twitter post by @jayrayner1 Awful news. I presented Matt with an award for outstanding achievement at last month's Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards. He was clever and, as my colleague @gracedent said in @obsefood only yesterday, hugely creative and innovative. My thoughts are with his family. https://t.co/jgPuX0aXTe — Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) April 23, 2018 Report

Godfrey Owen, chief executive of the Brathay Trust paid tribute to Mr Campbell.

"He was a real creative chef and one of the things he was very keen on doing was sharing that knowledge with young chefs who wanted to get involved in the industry.

"He was such a great athlete and also a wonderful supporter of Brathay."</s>With the touch of a button the Queen will launch the London Marathon, sending a tide of more than 40,000 runners through the capital. The 38th edition of the world-famous race may well be the hottest on record, with sweltering highs of 23C possible throughout Sunday. Runners have been advised to drop their goal-times and organisers have added more ice, water and run-through shower stations along the 26.2-mile course.

Among this year’s runners are firefighters who tackled the Grenfell Tower blaze, a police officer stabbed in the London Bridge terror attack and members of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. Sunday marks 25 years since the murder of the teenager, who was a keen runner. Meanwhile almost 100 runners will attempt Guinness World Records – dressed variously in suits of armour, as mythical creatures, and wearing stilts and ski boots Hundreds of police officers will be on duty to keep around 800,000 spectators and runners safe.

Competitors will start from Blackheath, south east London, running a snaking route along both sides of the Thames, finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. Last year, the event raised £61.5 million for charity, a world record for an annual one-day fundraising event, making the total raised since 1981 around £890 million, organisers said. A record 386,050 people applied for this year’s race – almost a third more than last year and the highest number for any marathon in the world.</s>With the touch of a button the Queen will launch the London Marathon, sending a tide of more than 40,000 runners through the capital.

The 38th edition of the world-famous race may well be the hottest on record, with sweltering highs of 23C possible throughout Sunday.

Runners have been advised to drop their goal-times and organisers have added more ice, water and run-through shower stations along the 26.2-mile course.

Among this year's runners are firefighters who tackled the Grenfell Tower blaze, a police officer stabbed in the London Bridge terror attack and members of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.

Sunday marks 25 years since the murder of the teenager, who was a keen runner.

Meanwhile almost 100 runners will attempt Guinness World Records - dressed variously in suits of armour, as mythical creatures, and wearing stilts and ski boots

Hundreds of police officers will be on duty to keep around 800,000 spectators and runners safe.
• Paula Radcliffe's top tips for running the London Marathon in the heat
• The most asked questions about the London Marathon answered

Competitors will start from Blackheath, south east London, running a snaking route along both sides of the Thames, finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace.

Last year, the event raised £61.5 million for charity, a world record for an annual one-day fundraising event, making the total raised since 1981 around £890 million, organisers said.

A record 386,050 people applied for this year's race - almost a third more than last year and the highest number for any marathon in the world.</s>MasterChef contestant Matt Campbell has died after collapsing during the London Marathon.

Matt, 29 and from the Lake District, collapsed 22.5 miles into the 26.2 miles course on Sunday.

He had completed the Manchester Marathon two weeks ago and was running the London race in memory of his father Martin who died suddenly 18 months ago.

In a statement, London Marathon organisers said: "With deep sadness, we confirm the death of a participant in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon.

"Matt Campbell, aged 29, a professional chef from the Lake District, collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark and, although he received immediate medical treatment on the scene from race doctors, he died later in hospital.

"Matt was a well-known chef who featured in MasterChef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas. He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016.

"Matt's family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under three hours.

"Matt's chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives:

"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 took part in MasterChef: The Professionals last year and reached the semi-final.

According to his biography on his website, Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens after finishing second on BBC Young Chef Of The Year at the age of 20 in 2009.

He appeared at Real Junk Food Manchester, earlier in April.

Speaking about running the marathon in honour of his late father Martin, he wrote on Instagram in February: "Words can't describe how honoured and humbled I feel to be asked to run this year's @londonmarathon on behalf of @brathaychallenges/@brathaytrust and in memory of my Father, Martin Campbell.

"It's been almost 18 months since I lost my Dad and this has been the most challenging period of my life.

"One thing that has helped me immensely is running and he inspired me to undertake my first marathon (Brathay) in 2016.

"I would never have believed 2 years on I would have the opportunity to represent such an incredible charity at such a prestigious event. Fundraising for Brathay with the proceeds going towards their memorial appeal in my Father's name."</s>A Masterchef contestant has died after collapsing during the London Marathon.

Marathon organisers say professional chef Matt Campbell, 29, died in hospital after collapsing during yesterday's race.

Campbell, who is from the Lake District, collapsed 22.5 miles into the 26.2-mile course.

A London Marathon statement said: "With deep sadness, we confirm the death of a participant in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon.

"Matt Campbell, aged 29, a professional chef from the Lake District, collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark and, although he received immediate medical treatment on the scene from race doctors, he died later in hospital.

"Matt was a well-known chef who featured in Masterchef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas. He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016."

Matt finished second on BBC Young Chef of the Year aged 20 in 2009. He was on Masterchef: The Professionals in 2017, where one of his dishes was described by chef and presenter Marcus Wareing as the best he'd ever tasted on the show.

On his website, Matt said 2018 was "looking exciting", saying: "A UK roadshow announced, filming for a TV pilot, planning my cookbook, collaborating with brands and working towards my first food start up."

He was also praised on Sunday by Guardian food critic Grace Dent , who said when she saw him on the show "I knew this was a chef with a certain level of swagger". She added: "Chefs such as Campbell are brave and exciting to me because to even pepper a menu with the term 'vegan' is to bang up against decades of culinary prejudice."

Matt had run the Manchester Marathon earlier in April in less than three hours.

The statement from London Marathon continued: "Matt’s family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under three hours.

"Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mattcampbell-londonmarathon

"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."</s>Matt Campbell dead: Masterchef star dies aged 29 after collapsing at the London Marathon MASTERCHEF star Matt Campbell has died while competing in the London Marathon.

Masterchef star Matt Campbell has died after collapsing during the London Marathon yesterday.

According to The Sun, the professional chef, 29, died after collapsing at the 22.5 mile mark.

Matt, who was a finalist in the semi finals of Masterchef: The Professionals in December 2017, had been running the race on the hottest day on record.

He is believed to have received immediate medical treatment on the scene from doctors, but passed away later in hospital.

He had been running the race in honour of his father Martin, who died 18 months ago.

A statement from Virgin Money, the race organisers today, said: "Matt was a well-known chef who featured in Masterchef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas.

"He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016.

"Matt’s family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under 3 hours.

"Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives: his fundraising page is here

"Everyone involved in the organisation of the London Marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt’s family and friends."

Matt had set a target of £2,500 for the Brathay Trust, and had raised £2,600.</s>A former MasterChef star has died after collapsing while running the London Marathon, organisers have said.

Matt Campbell, 29, who was a semi-finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals in 2017, collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark.

A statement on London Marathon’s official Twitter page, said: “With deep sadness, we confirm the death of a participant in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon.

“Matt Campbell, aged 29, a professional chef from the Lake District, collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark and, although he received immediate medical treatment on the scene from race doctors, he died later in hospital.

“Matt was a well-known chef who featured in Masterchef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas. He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016.

“Matt’s family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under 3 hours.

“Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives.

“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.”

The marathon was Campbell’s second in two weeks after completing a race in Manchester.

Round 2 👊 – 2nd marathon in 2 weeks, first @manchestermarathon & now, @londonmarathon. I’m running in memory of my Father for @brathaychallenges, thank you so much for this opportunity ☺️ – Still a little off my fundraising target, if anyone could spare £1 the link is in my bio 🙏🙌 – Good luck everyone! 🇬🇧 #spiritoflondon #londonmarathon2018 #brathay #mattsoire #💦

According to his biography on his website, Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens after finishing second on BBC Young Chef Of The Year at the age of 20 in 2009.

Speaking about running the marathon in honour of his late father Martin, he wrote on Instagram in February: “Words can’t describe how honoured and humbled I feel to be asked to run this year’s @londonmarathon on behalf of @brathaychallenges/@brathaytrust and in memory of my Father, Martin Campbell.

Words can’t describe how honoured and humbled I feel to be asked to run this year’s @londonmarathon on behalf of @brathaychallenges/@brathaytrust and in memory of my Father, Martin Campbell. ☺️ – It's been almost 18 months since I lost my Dad and this has been the most challenging period of my life. One thing that has helped me immensely is running and he inspired me to undertake my first marathon (Brathay) in 2016. – I would never have believed 2 years on I would have the opportunity to represent such an incredible charity at such a prestigious event. Fundraising for Brathay with the proceeds going towards their memorial appeal in my Father’s name. – Today I turn 29 and couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present. – Any donations what so ever will be truly appreciated. The link to my JustGiving page is in my bio. 2 marathons in 2 weeks, here we go. 🙃#teamcameradude

“It’s been almost 18 months since I lost my Dad and this has been the most challenging period of my life.

“One thing that has helped me immensely is running and he inspired me to undertake my first marathon (Brathay) in 2016.

“I would never have believed 2 years on I would have the opportunity to represent such an incredible charity at such a prestigious event. Fundraising for Brathay with the proceeds going towards their memorial appeal in my Father’s name.”</s>A Masterchef contestant has died after collapsing during the London Marathon. 



Organisers of the race have confirmed professional chef Matt Campbell has tragically died aged just 29 after taking part in the run yesterday (Sunday, April 22.) 



Campbell, who is from the Lake District, collapsed 22.5 miles into the gruelling 26.2 miles course. 



Race doctors provided immediate treatment at the scene but he later died in hospital.

The Masterchef semi-finalist was running the race in memory of his father, Martin, who died suddenly 18 months ago.

The marathon was the hottest in the 38-year history history of the event - with competitors struggling in the heat as temperatures hit 23.2 degrees.

A statement from London Marathon read: "With deep sadness, we confirm the death of a participant in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon.

"Matt Campbell, aged 29, a professional chef from the Lake District, collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark and, although he received immediate medical treatment on the scene from race doctors, he died later in hospital.

"Matt was a well-known chef who featured in Masterchef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas.





"He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016.

"Matt’s family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under 3 hours.

"Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mattcampbell-londonmarathon

"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."

He was running for the Brathay Trust - anyone who wants to donate to his justgiving page can click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mattcampbell-londonmarathon</s>A Masterchef: The Professionals contestant has died after collapsing during the London Marathon.

Matt Campbell, 29, collapsed at the 22.5-mile mark during yesterday’s race while running alongside his co-chef from the show Tom Peters.

He was a professional chef from the Lake District and was running for the Brathay Trust in memory of his father, Martin, who died 18 months ago.

Matt started running marathons in 2016 and yesterday’s run was his fourth marathon.

Writing about his father on his fundraising page he said: ‘The past year & a half have been the toughest of my life but his spirit and energy live on in me.’

He added: ‘He was the most inspirational man in my life and was the one who said – “Go on, why don’t you give it a go? I know you can do it!” and entered me into my first marathon; Brathay 2016 along with my brother, Josh.

‘It was maybe the proudest day of my life standing at the finish line having achieved something I never imagined possible with my Dad & my Brother by my side.’

A statement from Virgin Money said: ‘Matt was a well-known chef who featured in Masterchef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas.

‘He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016.

‘Matt’s family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under 3 hours.

‘Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives.

‘Everyone involved in the organisation of the London Marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt’s family and friends.’

The marathon was Campbell’s second in two weeks after completing a race in Manchester.

According to his biography on his website, Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens after finishing second on BBC Young Chef Of The Year at the age of 20 in 2009.</s>Masterchef: The Professionals are ‘shocked and saddened’ to hear that one of its contestants from last year, Matt Campbell, died after he collapsed during the London Marathon.

The talented chef, 29, competed on the hit BBC show last year and collapsed at the 22.5-mile mark during yesterday’s race while running alongside his co-chef from the show, Tom Peters.

‘We are shocked and saddened to hear the news about Matt Campbell, one of our talented contestants from last year. It was a privilege to have him on the show,’ a spokesperson from MasterChef told Metro.co.uk.

‘He will always be remembered for producing some of the most innovative and ground-breaking food that we saw on the series. From the whole MasterChef team, our sincere condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends.’

He was a professional chef from the Lake District and was running for the Brathay Trust in memory of his father, Martin, who died 18 months ago.

Matt started running marathons in 2016 and the London marathon on 20 April was his fourth marathon.

Writing about his father on his fundraising page he said: ‘The past year & a half have been the toughest of my life but his spirit and energy live on in me.’

Donations have skyrocketed in the hour since his death was confirmed, and Jay Rayner was among those to share a link.

‘If you would like to do something in memory of chef Matt Campbell, who died running the marathon yesterday, his just giving page is here. He was raising funds for the Brathay trust, which works to improve the life chances of children and young people,’ Jay tweeted.

A statement from Virgin Money said: ‘Matt was a well-known chef who featured in Masterchef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas.

‘He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in the summer of 2016.

‘Matt’s family today paid tribute to their inspirational son and brother, who was a keen marathon runner and had earlier this month completed the Manchester Marathon in under 3 hours.

‘Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives: his fundraising page is here. Everyone involved in the organisation of the London Marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt’s family and friends.’

The marathon was Campbell’s second in two weeks after completing a race in Manchester.

According to his biography on his website, Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens after finishing second on BBC Young Chef Of The Year at the age of 20 in 2009.

Although he didn’t reach the final of Masterchef: Professionals, he made a big impact on the judges during his time on the show – particularly when Marcus Wareing called one of his efforts ‘the best signature dish I have ever eaten in MasterChef’.

MORE: Remembering Matt Campbell’s time on MasterChef: The Professionals after his tragic death

MORE: What is the Brathay Trust? The charity Matt Campbell was running the London Marathon for
It is confirmed runner Matt Campbell, a former MasterChef semifinalist, died in hospital after collapsing during yesterday's London Marathon. The race was the hottest since the annual event began.