Antony Worrall Thompson intends to seek professional treatment to discover what sent him "over the edge." The former Ready Steady Cook chef was caught shoplifting last Friday (January 6, 2012), at a Tesco store in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. He failed to scan or pay for some of his items (cheese and wine) whilst using a self-service till, according to the Press Association.
Thompson told The Daily Express (for whom he works as a food writer) that there was no justifiable excuse for his actions: "I'm totally embarrassed, apologetic and gutted for my family and friends." He went on to add that a number of factors in his personal life may have contributed to him feeling under "incredible stress." He told the paper that he had moved house, resulting in a two-hour commute to his restaurant, he'd recently attended the funerals of two close friends and had been trying to give up smoking.
The former I'm a Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here! contestant added, though, that he expected to be criticised for his behavior and did not want to blame his actions solely on an increase of stress in his life. Antony is currently married to his third wife, Jacinta Shiel. His restaurant holding company Awt was placed into administration in 2009 and the Press Association report describes his restaurant business as having been "hit by the recession."