Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli has unveiled some of the farce stars, including Freddie Mercury, Kate Moss and Keith Lemon, who attended his Soho restaurant, Signor Zilli.
The 67-year-old restaurateur, who specializes in Italian cuisine and also opened restaurants Zilli Green, Zilli Café and Zilli Bar, has spoken of the time the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury filled his restaurant with smoke.
He also revealed why he had to ban comedian and TV presenter Keith Lemon from his restaurants after he “misbehaved”.
Looking back on his visits from friend Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 at the age of 45, Aldo told The Sun: “There were a lot of celebrities at Signor Zilli’s that night and everyone was a little drunk.
“It seems crazy to say that out loud, but Freddie Mercury went downstairs to get some fries but forgot to put the oil in the fryer.
Celebrity secrets: Chef Aldo Zilli, 67, has lifted the lid on the antics stars, including Freddie Mercury, Kate Moss and Keith Lemon, who used to pop up at his Soho restaurant Signor Zilli
“All the smoke went up the stairs and filled the restaurant.
“I went down to see what was going on and there was Freddie standing in all this thick smoke.”
He said despite their strong friendship, Freddie always insisted on paying Aldo when he dined at his establishments.
Aldo recalled the times Freddie would come into the restaurant and quietly sit in the corner to eat his meal before the two headed to London’s West End together.
Meanwhile, Aldo recalled the time he had to ban Keith Lemon, real name Leigh Francis, from his restaurants after he wreaked havoc at karaoke before he became well known.
The former Celebrity Juice presenter, 49, went to Zilli Fish for lunch and sang the 1998 hit When Will I Be Famous? from bros to guests.
Aldo claimed Keith would go to the bathroom and dress up to act as a character, and once interrupted filmmaker Alan Parker’s meal to serenade him at his table.
Alan reportedly told Aldo, “Listen, if you don’t lock this guy out I’m never coming back to your restaurant,” so Keith was banned from visiting Zilli Fish, leading the pair to not speak for 10 years.
Mistake: The restaurateur spoke of the time the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury filled his restaurant with smoke after cooking up some chips (Freddie pictured in 1985)
Aldo also praised supermodel Kate Moss, 49, whom he called “pretty” and insisted she never “misbehaved” in his restaurants.
Chef Aldo built his restaurant business from scratch after arriving from Italy in the late 1970s with just £100.
He left the London restaurant scene in 2012 after selling his restaurants but returned just before Christmas last year with Lucarelli, which is based in Harvey Nichols department store in posh Knightsbridge.
Cheeky: Aldo recalled the time he had to ban Keith Lemon, real name Leigh Francis, from his restaurants after he wreaked havoc at karaoke before he became well known (Keith pictured in 2008)
Angelic: Aldo also praised supermodel Kate Moss, 49, whom he called “pretty” and insisted she never “misbehaved” in his restaurants (pictured in 1993)
Fashionista: Supermodel Naomi Campbell was also a regular at his restaurants (pictured in 1995)
High life: Aldo said he spent afternoons drinking with TV and radio presenter Chris Evans when his London restaurants were open (pictured in 1993)
And the place brings back happy memories for Aldo – he said the bar next door reminds him of afternoons spent with TV and radio presenter Chris Evans, 41.
He said no one would know that the pair were tucked away in a corner of the pub enjoying a drink while the pair sat there for hours without being disturbed by fans.
Aldo added of his new restaurant: “We’ve already had a few famous faces and we’ve just started stocking Gary Barlow’s wine.
“It feels good to be back.”
Success: Chef Aldo built his restaurant business from scratch after arriving from Italy in the late 1970s on just £100 and opening a new establishment in the UK (pictured with Patsy Palmer in 2008)