Heston Blumenthal marries for a third time as chef weds woman who is 20 years his junior in her native France

Heston Blumenthal has wed a woman who is 20 years his junior after tying the knot for the third time.

The London-born chef, 56, exchanged vows with entrepreneur Melanie Ceysson, 36, in her native France on Saturday.

The wedding was held in Provence, the area that inspired Henston, the owner of the Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire, to become a chef.

The French bride donned a £1,420 white Emilia Wickstead dress, whilst the British groom wore a green suit by Issey Miyake.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds held a reception at their house nearby for around 60 guests including TV chef Raymond Blanc, former BBC director-general Lord Birt and Great British Menu judge Matthew Fort.

Raymond, the owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxford, told the Daily Mail: “Ever since Heston did an all-too-brief week in my kitchen, I’ve loved his fire and creativity.

“Over the years he’s helped me improve, and I hope I’ve also helped him. That’s our special bond, so, of course, I had to be here.”

Heston married his first wife Zanna, who is two years older, in 1989. The pair had three children - Jack, Joy and Jessie before separating in 2017.

His second ‘wedding’ was in 2018 with French estate agent Stephanie Gouveia, who was 21 years younger than him. She is the mother of his youngest child.

However, the Daily Mail reported in January this year that the Maldives “impromptu ceremony” was not “legally binding”.

A spokesperson for Stephanie said: “Marriage should be recognised by legal authorities. This wasn’t. What happened does not constitute a marriage in a legally binding sense.”

Heston is known for surprising diners with unique dishes such as snail porridge and egg-and-bacon ice cream.