Gordon Ramsay has said he is lucky to be alive after a “really bad” cycling accident in the US.

The celebrity chef said wearing a helmet saved his life after the collision in Connecticut.

In an Instagram video, he showed a huge purple bruise that appeared to cover a significant portion of his torso and shared photos of a crushed helmet and torn clothing.

Ramsay, 57, said: “Hey guys, it’s Gordon. I’d like to share a very important message with you all. You know how much I love cycling and triathlons and Ironman [races] etc and this week, unfortunately, I had a really bad accident and it really shook me and honestly I’m lucky to be here.

“Those incredible trauma surgeons, doctors, nurses in the hospitals looked after me this week, they were amazing but honestly, you’ve got to wear helmets.

“I don’t care how short the journey is. I don’t care … these helmets cost money, but they’re crucial, even with a kid’s short journey, they’ve got to wear a helmet.

“Now, I’m lucky to be standing here. I’m in pain. It’s been a brutal week. And I’m sort of getting through it.”

View image in fullscreen

Ramsay’s hands could be seen shaking during the short video, posted on Saturday to his 17 million Instagram followers.

Alongside the post, he wrote that he was “doing OK and did not break any bones or suffer any major injuries but I am a bit bruised up looking like a purple potato”.

He added that he had been treated at Lawrence + Memorial hospital in New London, Connecticut, and that the helmet had saved his life.

Ramsay, originally from Johnstone, near Glasgow in Scotland, has become one of the world’s most recognisable chefs after finding fame on British television 20 years ago.

He owns a series of restaurants in the UK and US and is starring in the latest series of US show, Next Level Chef.

• Gordon Ramsay
• Food
• news