'MasterChef' contestant, 29, dies after collapsing during marathon

Matt Campbell became famous last year when he appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals. There he made it all the way to the semi-finals.

On April 22, 2018, he was running the London Marathon, before he collapsed. Sky News, reported that he was attended to by medical staff but later died at the hospital.

Matt Campbell was only 29 when he died after collapsing during the London Marathon. He suddenly fell at the 22.5-mile mark and was given medical treatment from race doctors.

Campbell had reached the semi-finals of MasterChef in 2017 and was running the marathon in memory of his father, Martin Campbell. His father passed away in 2016.

The race organizers revealed that his cause of death would be established by later medical examination. This Sunday’s London Marathon was the hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 23.2C (73.8F).

Food critic Jay Rayner paid tribute to Campbell by calling a massively creative and innovative person. A spokeswoman for MasterChef shared that they were shocked and saddened to hear the news of Campbell’s passing.

The statement went on to say that it was a privilege to have had him on the show. They shared that he would always be remembered for producing some of the most innovative and groundbreaking food that they ever saw in the series.

‘Everyone involved in the organisation of the London marathon would like to express our sincere condolences to Matt's family and friends. No further details will be released and the family has asked for privacy.’

London Marathon Organizers, Sky News, April 23, 2018

The MasterChef team concluded by sending their condolences and thoughts to his family and friends. Campbell was also a keen runner from Lake District.

He had completed the Manchester Marathon earlier in April in less than three hours. A JustGiving page noted that Campbell had surpassed his target of raising £2,500 or $3,491 for the youth charity The Brathay Trust.

What boosted donations was his competing and subsequent death in the London Marathon event. On the page, Campbell had written that his late father had worked ‘tirelessly’ for the charity.

He described Martin as the most inspirational man in his life. Campbell shared that the past year and a half were the toughest of his life but his father’s spirit and energy lived on in him.

The chef wrote that his father had enrolled both him and his brother in their first marathon in 2016. He revealed that the proudest day of his life was standing at the finish line with them.

Campbell’s biography on his website stated that he began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens. This was in 2009 after he finished second on BBC Young Chef Of The Year at the age of 20.

After appearing on MasterChef, he went on a UK roadshow this year with dates in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Leeds.