Adam Peaty has been in a relationship with Gordon Ramsay’s daughter, Holly, for just over two years, and has formed a close bond with his future father-in-law
Adam Peaty has exposed a softer side of the notoriously tough Gordon Ramsay, sharing an emotional moment he experienced with the chef.
The Team GB swimming sensation and triple Olympic gold medallist is set to marry Ramsay’s daughter, Holly, after popping the question last September. The couple, who first crossed paths on the Strictly Come Dancing set in 2021, went public with their engagement on social media.
Holly showed off her sparkling ring from Peaty on Instagram, with the caption reading: “I am marrying my best friend. I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now.
“I still remember how big my smile was the morning I got home from my first date with you. Thank you for letting the little girl inside of me feel loved, seen and happier than ever. I love you and I cannot wait to be your wife.”
Peaty echoed the sentiment in his own heartfelt post, writing: “I can’t believe you’re going to be my wife. I’m truly the luckiest man on earth to have such a gentle, caring and beautiful woman by my side. You fill my heart to the brim and give my soul peace.”
Holly has stood by Peaty as a pillar of strength, especially when his athletic career hit rock bottom amidst a battle with alcoholism that ravaged his mental health. This spiral triggered the end of an eight-year winning streak in swimming at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Describing his struggle with addiction as “three years of hell”, Peaty credits the crucial bond he formed with Ramsay’s daughter for helping him to pull his life back together. The transformative influence of his future father-in-law was also key in swerving his previously wild lifestyle back to that of a dedicated sportsperson.
After the couple announced their engagement in 2024, Gordon posted a heartfelt congratulations on social media. He said: “Congratulations to this gorgeous girl @hollyramsay… so happy for you and @adam_peaty!
“Hols, watching you become the woman you are today with your kindness and your love is absolutely infectious. Adam is a very lucky man. Welcome to the family!”
It was reported that Gordon gave his blessing for Adam to marry Holly, and he’s played an undeniable role in Peaty’s comeback in the pool – a journey from loss at the Commonwealth Games to claiming a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
During an interview with The Sunday Times in April 2024, the swimmer said:”He [Ramsay] is an incredible energy to be around and an incredible person to have that guidance from. Gordon is a high performer.
“He worked his way up to the upper echelons of his industry and works in a place where there’s no bulls***. I take a lot from that and from the professionalism he has every single day with a relentless pursuit. So, when I see that, I’m like, ‘yeah, why can’t I work like this? Why can’t I do this every single day? Why do I have to be so emotionally engaged with things?'”
Peaty also featured on the High Performance podcast earlier in the month, discussing his bond with the celebrated chef – as host Jake Humphrey shared a heartfelt text from Gordon about the Olympian. The message read: “I want you to know he’s an amazing young man with such a great attitude.
“Honestly, I could not ask for a more down-to-earth, respectable future son-in-law. What he’s achieved is incredible and he’s not done yet. Looking forward to catching up soon.”
The kind words from his prospective father-in-law moved Peaty deeply, nearly bringing him to tears during the podcast. He said: “That makes me emotional, I don’t want to cry on the podcast, but it makes me very emotional. In this last year or so, seeing how he performs; the balance he has to create in his life with high performance, family life and love, his children, and his wife is incredible.
“I love how he’s already signing me up for LA [Olympics in 2028) but he’s a great father-in-law. Hopefully, next year…we already call it father-in-law and mother-in-law.
“He’s also very down to earth with what he’s done and a great guide. Another blessing for me to look up to. Someone like him and Tana as well as my own parents, who give their perspective on my life, and it’s very important, going forward, that you have those people.”
Also on the podcast, Peaty opened up about his past struggles with mental health. He confessed to using alcohol and partying as a substitute for the adrenaline rush he experienced during competitions.
The athlete said: “To a certain extent, was it just the high that I was seeking or was it numbness I was seeking from the bad that I ignored? It’s probably the latter.
“That I was using alcohol, parting or those environments, yes for a bit of fun at the time, but I was just paying that debt down the road. That’s not a sustainable way to really listen to yourself. Also you don’t want to numb yourself to anything. I think numbness is probably the most dangerous feeling you can ever get, you want to feel the bad with the good.”
Looking ahead to a brighter future, Peaty is set to marry his partner Holly later in 2025. Gordon, who has been a constant source of support throughout their relationship, will undoubtedly be there to celebrate their love and commitment to each other.