Celebrity chef Manu Feildel has suddenly pulled out of a lavish luncheon because of a health issue.
The MKR judge, 49, was meant to appear at the Tour De Cure Spring luncheon at Doltone House in Sydney on Friday – but instead appeared via video announcement saying he needed to have surgery.
‘I wish I could be there celebrating with you, but unfortunately I have to go for surgery tomorrow,’ he said.
The French-born cook did not elaborate on his diagnosis and what led to his surprise surgery.
Manu Feidel told a Sydney luncheon that he needed to get surgery tomorrow over a health issue and couldn’t make the ritzy event
Manu with his wife Clarissa Weerasena at a red carpet event
However, he shared a telling clue to his Instagram account on Thursday – his leg in a brace – leaving some fans concerned for his health.
‘If you’re like me and can’t go out or cook for yourself, well the next best thing is to order some delicious meals @providoor’ his post was captioned.
‘I’ve had some surgery done, and I can’t cook for myself as I usually do,’ he said in the clip.
Fellow chef Jason Robertson said: ‘Rest up brother … hope to see you back at training soon xo’.
Fans and fellow celebrities flocked to the comments section to offer a speedy recovery.
‘Look after your leg mon ami!! Hope you’re ok’ 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 luncheon that he needed 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.
Jonti, 18 – who signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ junior division – was recorded pranking his dad by telling him that he’d ruined his NRL career before it had even begun after a wild weekend doing drugs.
‘I f**ked up, dad. Next week, the Bunnies are going to drug test us,’ Jonti joked.
He continued: ‘I went and smoked weed with my friends last weekend so I’m not sure if it’s going to be in my system or not.’
At this point, the celebrity chef went ballistic as he scolded his son: ‘Come on, bro. Come on. F**k. F**k, Jonti. F**k, f**k, f**k, Jonti. Come on. S**t, bro.
‘We’ve talked about this. Think about your freaking career, man. I don’t want to tell you off, Jonti. I really don’t want to tell you off, but you know you’ve got to grow up.’
Feildel went on to say he already thought Jonti’s drinking was too much and tried not to judge it, ‘but now you’re smoking f**king reefer. What’s next? F**k.’
Jonti (pictured), 18, who just signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, told the celebrity chef, 48, he’d ruined his NRL career before it had even begun after a wild weekend doing drugs
But when Jonti asked his dad to pee in the cup for him so he could pass the upcoming drug test, Feildel was adamant his son would have to take responsibility for his actions, even if it meant losing his spot on the team.
Feildel sounded relieved as he realised it was a prank. ‘You bunch of w**kers. Oh, my God. I was just about to cry.’
Months later in May his Instagram page was hijacked by scammers in a bid to dupe his fans into sending them money.
They posted screenshots of fake bank statements to claim Manu made just over $10,000 from ‘safe and legit’ investments.
The scammers even went out of their way to Photoshop the chef’s name onto the fake statements.
