TOP CHEF TREATED FOR 'KNIFE INJURY'

Mystery surrounds the details leading up to his hospital admission with the Italian's spokeswoman describing the incident as a "private health matter".

Mr Carluccio, 71, owns a string of restaurants and food shops across the UK and makes regular appearances as a television chef.

Sources revealed the pensioner was admitted to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Monday where he was treated for a knife injury.

The chef has since been discharged from the hospital and allowed to return to his south London home.

His spokeswoman would not confirm how the injury had been caused.

She said: "All we can say is that this is a private health matter, we cannot comment further."

Son of a railway station master, Carluccio was born in Vietri sul Mare near Salerno in southern Italy.

He moved to London in 1975 and made his first appearance on BBC2 eight years later.

The Carluccio's brand was launched in 1991.