Lee Ryan has quit Hell's Kitchen after a heated row with Marco Pierre White.

It is not known what sparked the row or how long it lasted.

Earlier today the former Blue singer admitted that he was struggling with life on the ITV1 reality show, saying: "This isn't my job - it's a TV programme. It's okay but I am not 100% enjoying it."

ITV had planned to ask viewers to vote for their favourite celebrity chef on tonight's episode of the show, but is unknown whether the vote will now go ahead.

Nine celebrity chefs now remain on Hell's Kitchen, which continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/realityt...s-kitchen.html

He was the early bookies' favourite too........

didn't think he'd last

Me neither he seemed quite set in his ways about Marco.

I thought he was ok, wasn't to bad but wouldn't of thought any of them quitting, but i would guess Abi or Adele or Brian to leave first if they did.....

The article says that viewers were going to vote for their favourite tonight - how was that going to work if there are only ten (now nine) celebrities and still another 13 days to go? Unless it wasn't going to happen every night.

They are saying on heatworld that he was kicked out and didn't quit.

I guess both sides will say the opposite to keep their pride in tact!

good wont miss him think hes a jumped up little so and so

The article on DS does suggest he was kicked out.

Marco told him he was off the team so he quit. Sounds like he didn't have much option.

Strange though that they coudn't resolve it.

The ITV site says he has 'exited' as well rather than quit.

Would Marco have the power to make him leave though? Surely the producers would have stepped in?

Thats the impression I got from reading the article as well.

Can Marco do that? First he started getting rid off the "guests" and now he has started on the "staff". It will just be him and matt at the end I think

Thats what I thought. I wouldn't have thought as "Chef" on the show he would have the power to do that. Maybe somebody forgot to tell him he hasn't

MPW might say that he didnt make Lee leave - he choose to leave.

Maybe he can commit to saving the whales full time now.

First time I have seen it this series (also maybe the last as it doesn't seem the same) but Lee seemed like a right idiot.

Spoiled brat who didn't seem to know what being in a kitchen is all about.

did his 'career' no favours here.

Just came accross as a thick primadona IMO

Na he might quit that also I mean that's all he is good for (Quitting)

If Marco fired him that was the best firing I've seen in a long while.......Marco just looked at him with those stern eyes and said 'be very very careful.......' and with that lee was gone! lol

Hope Jim goes next, can't stand the man

What little I have watched of this show, it seems that the younger men and women do not stand a chance, he treats Barry, Jim and Paul totally different to everyone else. I think its unfortunate that Lee Ryan has walked, I would like someone with cajones to put MPW in his place.

I agree with the above.When meeting them for the first time he was dismissive of all the youngsters especially the girls.I like Lee.and am sorry he left,but both JD and MPW are T*****s and I wouldnt want to be in there with either of them.Plus the way customers are treated!!No way would I want to eat there,so pretentious.I find MPW a nasty piece of work.

Yes exactly how he came across to me, if it was ziggy acting like that he would of got tons of criticism about it but no lee ryan is some sort of hero to some it seems when he acts like some spoilt egotistical idiot who can't take orders, he's there to learn not get a bad attitude with people trying to help him.

Not a fan of Jim D at all but have to agree that Lee made himself look a right spoilt brat. Maybe it was unfortunate editing but he really has not done himself any favours. The whole point of these reality TV programmes are that the celebrities put themselves in difficult circumstances and then see how they all cope. Well he didn't even try to cope - just moaned and argued with everyone. Its people like Brian who the british public like (ie those who really struggle and try their best - even if they aren't brilliant).

So now it turns out that his 'sacking' has nothing to do with what happened with Jim, but because he had the audacity to tell Marco that a lot of people, including himself, found the term "pikey" offensive.

Lee is thick, and hot-headed (although I also thought Jim Davidson looked stupid with his captaining skills), but I thought he was brave to approach Marco the way he did, and was about as respectful as it is possible to be if are tackling a subject like that.

I'm sure Marco didn't intend to offend the travelling community, but Lee is right, "pikey" is a term that many find offensive, including most of the people who are at the receiving end. In a lot of work places, Marco could be disciplined for it, but in the world of Hell's Kitchen, the person who raises the issue gets the boot, and ITV let everyone think it's over something else.

I know "pikey" isn't considered as offensive as the n word, but Emily got booted out of Big Brother, not allowed to return for the final, for using it, even though she didn't think she was being offensive either.

Lee got the boot because Marco refuses to be challenged, and thinks he knows it all. Worse, he was challenged by someone who isn't particularly bright. Marco knows a lot about cooking, but in this case, Lee was right, which he refused to accept.

Agree with you "Sparkle". Made my earlier comments about Lee based on what I had seen the previous night when I felt he did behave childishly.

However I agree when he challenged Marco it was done rationally and articulately. He managed to state his case and I feel Marco came out worse in that situation. He was not really prepared to listen and did not like being challenged. He was not really able to comment on Lee's accusation and turned the whole argument back to Jim etc.

Marco asked Lee what 'Pikey' means as though Lee had to qualify his opinion.

Would somebody need to explain what the 'N' word means in the same situation?