Tragedy As MasterChef Star Ross Burden Dies aged 45

Celebrity chef Ross Burden, who appeared on MasterChef and Ready Steady Cook, has died at the age of 45 after a battle with cancer.
The TV chef was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia in July last year and contracted an infection after recently undergoing a bone marrow transplant.
Ross, originally from New Zealand, became a household name in the UK after being a finalist on MasterChef in 1993 before going on to appear alongside Ainsley Harriott on Ready Steady Cook.
In 2010, Ross returned to New Zealand to join the judging panel on the country's first MasterChef series.
His sister, Kirsten Hughes, told the New Zealand Herald that Burden had been one assignment away from completing a Masters in Maori Studies at Auckland University.
"He's just a friendly, compassionate guy - nothing was too much trouble," she said.
"He was my big, fantastic incredible, larger-than-life brother.
"Right up until probably a week-and-a-half ago, he was making his next lot of plans. He had the world map out."
Burden, a former model, who published two books and appeared on The X Factor: Battle of the Stars along with fellow chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli, Aldo Zilli and Paul Rankin in 2006 is survived by his mother Anne, his sister Kirsten and extended family.
Fellow TV chefs and TV Personalities paid tribute to Ross on Twitter, who died on 17 July.
Just heard the sad news my old Ready, Steady, Cook colleague Ross Burden has passed away. My thoughts go out to friends and family. RIP Ross
— James Martin (@jamesmartinchef) July 20, 2014
So sad to hear about Ross Burden. He gamely endured our daytime prattings on Light Lunch for years. A joy to be around. A proper gent. RIP.
— Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) July 28, 2014
I'm so sorry to hear the news that Ross Burden has died.. appearing for years in Ready, Steady Cook, my thoughts are with his family x
— Paul Hollywood (@PaulHollywood) July 17, 2014
Fans who were sad to hear the news also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the popular TV star.
So sad to hear the news of Ross Burden - gone at just 45 :'(
— Deborah Lee (@debsylee) July 28, 2014
Found out that Mr Ross Burden passed away on July 17 th. Met him on Ready Steady Cook with Mr Phil Vickey. Was a perfect gentleman. RIP X
— Claire Evershed (@ClaireEvershed) July 28, 2014
Sad news about Ross Burden :(
http://t.co/8jOowQQvbf
— Jam Shambles (@eviljobob) July 28, 2014
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