Tom Kerridge Opens Up About His Lively Relationship With Son Acey

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has shared an honest insight into his relationship with his 12-year-old son Acey, describing it as full of “monstrous fireworks” but also filled with laughter and love. Tom, 52, and his wife Beth Cullen-Kerridge, a sculptor, are parents to Acey, who attends their local state primary school and is a keen rugby player.

Tom affectionately calls Acey his “mini me,” and the pair bond over their shared interests in motorbikes and cooking. He has previously described Acey as an “absolute unit,” revealing that by the age of nine, his son could deadlift an impressive 80 kilograms—a testament to his strength and determination.

Growing up in a single-parent household in Wiltshire, Tom admits that parenting is a learning experience for both him and Acey. Speaking with The Times, he said, “We have monstrous fireworks but we also have the best laughs. The best way I can describe my relationship with him is I am like his big brother, just with money.” He highlights their playful, brotherly dynamic, often engaging in games together before occasionally falling out – typical sibling stuff rather than a traditional father-son relationship.

Acey’s passion and fierce competitiveness shine on the rugby field, where he plays key positions like number one and number three. Inspired by former England international Joe Marler, Acey is known to have a “red mist” temperament — a fiery streak that makes him hate losing. Tom appreciates this intensity, saying, “He can be the most gentle, wonderful human but he’s also got this streak… I try to control it and to enhance it.”

Tom also mentions how his and Acey’s spirited disagreements can try the patience of Beth, but he embraces the similarities between father and son. On the Rugby Lives podcast, Tom said, “Yeah, in a lot of ways, he does massively and it drives my wife nuts… It’s almost like having an argument with yourself, and afterwards we both laugh about it.”

As Tom returns to television with The Great British Menu on BBC Two, viewers get a glimpse of the chef whose fiery friendship with his son reflects warmth, growth, and the imperfect yet special bond they share.