CULINARY hard man Gordon Ramsay has been praised for setting a Nantwich chef on the road to recovery after his drink problem was exposed by a TV show.

Lenin Dooris is happily recovering from alcoholism after his addiction came to the fore during filming for Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, the cult TV show which returns for a new series on Channel 4 next week.

Former footballer Gordon, famed for his 'no holds barred' treatment of chefs on the programme, visited Oscars in Nantwich last summer in a bid to reverse the restaurant's fortunes.

But disaster struck when head chef Lenin collapsed in the middle of filming and had to be rushed to hospital due to a suspected epileptic fit.

As reported in the Guardian last year, Ramsay belied his hard man image to care for Lenin during a dramatic wait for an ambulance. It later transpired that the 32-year-old had a drink problem.

Lenin's mother Maura, who was the restaurant's owner and manager at the time of filming, said Ramsay had played a vital role in leading her son towards recovery.

She said: "The whole incident brought the problem to the forefront for everyone, including Lenin.

"Thanks to the programme we received superb help and we owe Gordon Ramsay a huge 'thank you'.

"It was brought out in the open so now he can talk about it and there is nothing to hide.

"We are still in touch with the programme's producers and have been invited down to Gordon's restaurant for a meal when he gets back from America.

"Gordon is a super bloke with a great heart - behind the faade is a very soft-hearted bloke and he has been so nice and helpful."

The exploits at Oscars come under the spotlight next Tuesday when they feature on the first programme of the show's third series.

Since the show, Maura has sold Oscars to new owners Bryn and Sally Cooper who have brought in their own head chef.

The 55-year-old, who is aiding Lenin's recovery, has mixed feelings about next week's broadcast.

She added: "There is a bit where they portray us as being at each other's throats, but that isn't the case and we're very close.

"It was just a stressful night and the perception isn't true - myself and Lenin get on very well."