Carluccio suicide rumours all ‘lies’

When it was reported last week that Antonio Carluccio, the multi-millionaire London restaurateur, had stabbed himself in the chest with a kitchen knife, many thought it was simply an accident. However, since then the rumour mill has been churning, with speculation about whether it was in fact a possible suicide attempt.

In an effort to throw an asbestos blanket over these incendiary fancies, a close friend of Carluccio, 71, has come forward. Gennaro Contaldo, said: "I don't know why people are bringing so many lies out. It was an accident. He was just sharpening his knife and it slipped."

Asked whether his friend could have been trying to deliberately self-harm, Contaldo said: "No way. Jesus Christ. He would have told me." However, Contaldo said his friend had checked himself into the Priory in Roehampton for "a rest".

He added: "He has been so busy on his books and other projects. That is all it is. I spoke to him on the phone and he is fantastic. He is very happy ... He has such a beautiful life to look forward to. There have been so many lies going on it is incredible. He is one of the happiest souls and one of the nicest people you could ever meet."

It certainly can't be money worries. Carluccio, who became famous from his TV show Italian Feasts in the 1990s, sold his shares in the restaurant chain he started with his wife when it floated in 2005, netting about £11m.