Showbiz

Rick Stein cooks up romance on a date with Sarah Burns, the younger woman who broke up his marriage

Updated 11:28am on 23 Jul 2008

Television chef Rick Stein downed his cooking utensils for a romantic outing with PR executive Sarah Burns in London yesterday.

It was a rare public outing for the pair, who have kept very low profile since their 2002 affair led to the demise of his 27-year marriage to Jill Stein.

Romantic outing: Rick Stein with PR executive Sarah Burns in London yesterday

Stein and his wife continued to work together after the affair was uncovered but eventually divorced in 2007 after she spotted him with Burns outside their flagship restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall.

She hit boiling point and let out a torrent of abuse before slapping her rival in the face.

Burns, who met 61-year-old Stein on a book tour in Australia, also left her husband and two young sons.

Happy snap: The blonde Australian, who is 20 years Stein's junior, takes a photograph of the chef

Stein and Burns, who is 20 years his junior, now own a house and baked-to-order cupcake business in Sydney.

After the breakdown of his marriage, Stein was quoted as saying: 'I'm appalled at the distress I've caused Jill and my three sons.'

'In the end, though, you just have to follow your heart, selfish as it may seem.'

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Like so many men in their fifties they are easily flattered when they are paid attention by a younger (not necessarily attractive) woman. The excitement of a new sexual relationship is mistaken for love. He's just a silly old get who's old enough to know better but obviously not wise enough to spot the Aussie gold diggers real intent, fame, definitely fortune and guess what he 'aint going to live as long as she is, is he. Oh well, you're a silly old fart Rick, you've lost the one who really had your well being as her main focus. You idiot!!

- Machiavelli, Cambridge, UK, 12/06/2009 07:58
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I gues that's life. That's why we have a vision for our marriages. It's such an important investment but once it's gone sour it's over and I guess the Steins didn't have much in common towards the end of their relationship. Unconditional acceptance of one another is the key, don't try to change the other to suit our own desires. I am married to a dear man that is completely the opposite of me and I allow him to be just that and we adore each other. It's called being unconditional but unfortunately when fame and success enter some people's lives the basics disappear and the bells and whilstles of fame become their lovers.

- Anne Jones, Auckland New Zealand, 23/11/2008 03:19
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