London chef Christopher Wheeler, who appeared on TV hits like Great British Menu and Hell’s Kitchen, was found dead in a grave yard at the age of 52, an inquest has heard
A top London chef who appeared on TV shows including Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen has been found dead in a graveyard.
Christopher Wheeler, a 52-year-old father-of-two- who had carved out a TV career with appearances on the popular culinary programmes, and more recently worked as executive chef at The Hurlingham Club in London, was reported missing by his partner on February 25.
On Wednesday, an inquest at Inner West London Coroner’s Court heard that Wheeler had taken a cocktail of drugs and his body was discovered two days later by employees at Brompton Cemetery in Kensington and Chelsea.
CCTV had shown that Wheeler had entered the cemetery alone, and police were immediately called to the scene, and it was found that there was no third-party involvement.
A coroner recorded an open conclusion into his death, which means that the full circumstances are not yet known but the court heard that Mr Wheeler had had a “history of mental health issues” over the years, and “asphyxiation” was listed as the cause of death.
Jean Harkin, Assistant Coroner at Inner West London Coroner’s Court, told the inquest: “A 52 year old gentleman was reported missing by his wife at 7.45am on 25th February 2026, and the groundsman for Brompton Cemetery found a deceased male on the morning of the 27th February 2026.
“There was no note left by Christopher indicating any intention to self-harm,” and there had been no history of him doing so. “
In reading a statement provided by Mr Wheeler’s family, she said: “He was passionate about two things above all else – his work as a chef and his family. He knew from a young age he wanted to become a chef.”
The statement also noted that “the profession demanded long hours, commitment and sacrifice, but he never complained,” and his family remembered him as being an “exceptionally talented chef.”
The family’s statement continued: “He worked incredibly hard and achieved so much during his career. He was a perfectionist and took immense pride in his work. Although his career left him with little free time, he always made sure to dedicate time to his family and the family have wonderful memories.”
Wheeler is survived by his wife Simona, who attended the inquest along with his brother Simon, and their two children. The family added: “Above all, he loved his family and adored his daughters and he considered them to be the greatest achievement in life. He was a true gentleman, the best dad and partner they could wish for, and they feel incredibly blessed to have had him in their lives.”
Wheeler made his first television appearance in 2005 on the Gordon Ramsay hit Hell’s Kitchen and eight years later, he was seen on Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is.
In 2014, he appeared on Saturday Kitchen and Sunday Brunch before. In 2016, he appeared as a contestant on Great British Menu, which, at the time was judged by Lisa Allen and Grace Dent, and presented by Matthew Fort, Oliver Peyton and Dame Prue Leith, just before she joined The Great British Bake Off.
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