London Marathon death: Matt Campbell, aged 29, dies after collapsing at mile 22

A former MasterChef contestant has died after collapsing during the London Marathon.

Matt Campbell, a professional chef from the Lake District, received emergency medical treatment after falling unconscious at about 22.5 miles. Organisers announced the 29-year-old later passed away in hospital.

Mr Campbell – who had reached the semi-final of MasterChef: The Professionals last year – was a keen runner and, just two weeks earlier, had completed the Greater Manchester Marathon in under three hours.

Ahead of Sunday’s race he tweeted a picture of himself looking in apparent good health with the caption: “Let’s do this.”

He was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died in 2016.

A statement from race organisers Virgin Money said: "Matt was a well known chef who inspired viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward thinking ideas.

"Matt’s chosen charity, The Brathay Trust, inspires vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives.

"Everyone involved in the organisation of the London Marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt’s family and friends."

Helen Hokin, Mr Campbell's PR consultant, said: "He was a lovely, kind hearted and down-to-earth man. I believe he was poised to become the next great innovator in British food.

"He was in the middle of a roadshow tour and he had such a way with inspiring young chefs. This is so sad."

His godmother, Louise Goodsman, a beauty therapist of Bath, also paid tribute, saying in a tweet: "The world truly has lost a special, talented person."

His chef career had seen him already achieve considerable success, according to his website. He started working in Michelin-starred restaurants aged 20 after finishing second in the BBC's Young Chef of the Year in 2009, before spending time cooking in countries across the world, including France, Thailand and Peru.

He returned to the UK last year and was working on a TV pilot and cookbook.

Runners endured the hottest London Marathon on record on Sunday as temperatures soared to 23.5C. The previous highest temperature was 22.7C in 1996.