Don't you just love humiliating public break-ups? TV chef John Burton Race, one of the least offensive of the jungle gang, has had some pretty bad news. It seems his estranged wife took advantage of his extended absence from the country, and closed his £1.2m restaurant while he was on the show.

Apparently Kim, 42, told the 20 staff of the New Angel restaurant in Devon that they were fired. They were handed their P45s on Monday night. John's mobile number was written on a notice stuck to the restaurant door, with the statement: "It is with deep regret that as of Tuesday 27th November 2007 the New Angel restaurant and rooms will cease trading. Please direct all inquiries to John Burton Race."

OooooOOOOOOhhhhh!

Burton seems mystified: "None of that is right. I didn't know the restaurant was closed or that there was a note in the window. The decision to close the restaurant was not made by me. I have got nothing more to say."

Their acrimonious divorce has been going on for the past year, and although Mrs Burton Race refused to comment she was previously quoted and saying that the Michelin star restaurant - said to be worth £1,250,000 - would be sold to fund the divorce settlement.

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