A CREWE man who collapsed whilst working as a chef during last night's Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares says the TV programme has helped him come to terms with his alcohol problem.

Lenin Dooris, who turns 33 next week, was taking part in Channel Four's third series of the hit programme where celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay tries to turn around the fortunes of struggling restaurants.

Ramsay's crew were in Nantwich filming at Oscars Restaurant in Beam Street during the summer, when he slumped to the floor whilst working in the kitchen.

Lenin, who ran the restaurant with his mother Maura, was rushed to hospital. But after admitting his alcohol problem and spending time in rehab, the Irishman is now back at home at Holland Street in Crewe.

He said: 'I am feeling fantastic now but I am going to stay away from the catering business from now on. I can't hide my problems with alcohol but I have a lot to thank Gordon and the show for.

'The programme helped me realise I had a problem and encouraged me to get things out in the open. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.

'I'm now looking at being an alcohol counsellor so I can help people going through the same thing.

Lenin denied rumours that the collapse was a result of Ramsay's tough-talking outbursts. He said: 'It was nothing at all to do with Gordon having a go at me. He was not even in the room when I keeled over.

'It wasn't even because I was drunk, it was because I had not been drinking and my body couldn't adjust to it. It has happened to my father as well.'

Oscars, which opened in September 2004 and seats 55, is the first restaurant in the area to be featured in the TV series. Lenin's mother Maura had put her life savings of £65,000 into the venture, which was losing £2,000 a week.

Lenin was working as head chef without pay and was cracking under pressure as he tried to cook complicated dishes.

The restaurant is now under new management and Lenin says he would love to go back for a meal .

He added: 'I wish the new owners loads of luck. It's a lovely quaint little restaurant.'