Celebrity chef Manu Feildel has suddenly withdrawn from a lavish lunch due to a health problem.
The 49-year-old MKR judge was due to appear at the Tour De Cure Spring luncheon at Doltone House in Sydney on Friday, but instead appeared via a video announcement saying he had to undergo surgery.
“I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but unfortunately I have to have surgery tomorrow,” he said.
The French-born chef did not elaborate on his diagnosis and what led to his surprising surgery.
Manu Feidel told a luncheon in Sydney that he had to undergo surgery tomorrow due to a health problem and could not attend the chic event
Manu with his wife Clarissa Weerasena at a red carpet event
However, on Thursday he shared a telling clue on his Instagram account – his leg in a brace – which caused some fans to worry about his health.
“If, like me, you can’t leave the house or cook for yourself, the best thing you can do is order some delicious meals @providoor,” his post read.
“I had surgery and I can’t cook for myself like I usually do,” he said in the clip.
Fellow boss Jason Robertson said: ‘Just rest brother… hope to see you back at training soon xo’.
Fans and other celebrities flocked to the comments section to offer a speedy recovery.
‘Watch your leg, mon ami!! I hope you are doing well,” wrote chef Luca Ciano.
A representative for Manu did not respond to a request for comment.
Feidel shared an image of a leg brace and told fans at the Tour De Cure lunch that he had surgery ‘tomorrow’
In February, Manu was the subject of a cruel on-air prank orchestrated by The Kyle and Jackie O Show and his son Jonti.
18-year-old Jonti, who signed for the South Sydney Rabbitohs junior division, was recorded pranking his father by telling him he had ruined his NRL career before it had even started after a wild weekend with drugs.
“I messed up, Dad. Next week the Bunnies are going to drug test us,” Jonti joked.
He continued, “I started smoking weed with my friends last weekend, so I’m not sure if it’s in my system or not.”
At this point, the celebrity chef went ballistic as he scolded his son, “Come on, man. Come on. F**k. F**k, Jonti. F**k, f**k, f**k, Jonti. Come on. S**t, brother.
‘We’ve talked about this. Think about your crazy career, man. I don’t want to send you away, Jonti. I really don’t want to tell you, but you know you have to grow up.’
Feildel went on to say that he already thought Jonti was drinking too much and tried not to judge it, “but now you smelled some damn reefer.” What’s next? F**k.”
Jonti (pictured), 18, who has just signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, told the celebrity chef, 48, that he ruined his NRL career before it even started after a wild weekend of drugs
But when Jonti asked his father to pee in the cup for him so he could pass the upcoming drug test, Feildel was convinced that his son would have to take responsibility for his actions, even if it meant losing his place on the team would lose.
Feildel sounded relieved when he realized it was a joke. “You bunch of w**kers. Oh my God. I was about to cry.”
Months later, in May, his Instagram page was hijacked by scammers in an attempt to trick his fans into sending them money.
They posted screenshots of fake bank statements and claimed that Manu made just over $10,000 from “safe and legitimate” investments.
The scammers even went out of their way to Photoshop the chef’s name onto the false statements.