Rick Stein’s new TV series, Rick Stein’s Mediterranean, was ‘gifted’ an unexpected dramatic twist when Stein’s beloved car was stolen from a hotel car park. The celebrity chef was distraught when two thieves stole the trademark blue Land Rover Defender, costing him around £30,000.

Sadly, the car also contained some of the crew’s camera equipment – and the chef’s favourite blue shirt which he was fond of wearing onscreen.

It seems that the thieves broke into the car park of the hotel in Puglia, where Stein and his production team were staying. It is unlikely that they knew of the car’s celebrity status when they stole it, according to the director of the series, David Pritchard.

Stein mused: “The locals in Puglia are lovely people and the food is fabulous but this has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.”

But, ever the professional, Stein didn’t let the incident interfere with work.

”Our parting shot is a sad-looking me, sitting on my suitcases with no Land Rover. The open-top Jeep we’ve hired to go to Corfu just isn’t the same.”

Tough times but it’s good to see the chef ploughing through.