Ben Watkins (14) participated as an eleven-year-old in the Gordon Ramsey program «Masterchef Junior». He was among the top 18 in his season, and managed to become a viewer favorite.
On Monday, his family could say in a statement that he had passed away. According to grandmother Donna Edwards and uncle Anthony Edwards, Watkins suffered from a very rare cancer.
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Rare disease
“Our Ben went home to be with his mother this afternoon after a year and a half long battle with cancer. After losing both his parents in September 2017, we have admired Ben’s strength, courage and love for life “, it says in the statement.
Watkins became an orphan after his father killed his mother, and saw himself. The father shot and killed his mother in their home, according to Chicago Tribune.
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According to the family, there are only five others who have the same cancer diagnosis in the world.
‘He never, ever complained. Ben was and will always be the strongest person we know of. When Ben’s rare disease was shared with the world, he was so touched by all the love he received from all corners of the world – especially here in his hometown of Gary, Indiana “, the family continues.
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They then thank the community around them for taking care of the family.
“Ben experienced more than enough suffering during his 14 years on earth, but we find comfort in the fact that his suffering is now finally over, and that he knew until recently that he was loved by so many,” the text concludes.
The statement was posted on a fundraising page to help Watkins after his parents’ death, so he could follow the chef’s dream.
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Gordon Ramsay i sorg
Among those grieving after the death is super chef Gordon Ramsay, who heads “Masterchef” – both in the adult and junior versions.
He writes on Twitter that a master in the kitchen has passed away.
“Ben, you were an incredibly talented home cook and an even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns, but you persevered. Sends all love to Ben Watkins family after this horrible loss “, he writes.
We lost a Master of the @MasterChefJrFOX kitchen today. Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered. Sending all the love to Ben Watkins’ family with this terrible loss Gx pic.twitter.com/RX81hP7lbw
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) November 17, 2020
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The TV channel behind the program, Fox, also offers its condolences to the family.
As mentioned, Watkins participated in the program in 2018. He also worked in the family restaurant Big Ben’s Bodacious BBQ and Delicatessen until his parents died.
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