WHEN a talented teenage chef was hand picked by Gordon Ramsay to star in his latest TV cookery programme, he thought his dreams of culinary stardom had come true.

John Frappola received a call from the makers of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares saying he would be perfect for a new show about aspiring young chefs.

And 17-year-old John thought it was his lucky break.

But when the production team discovered his age, the Westhoughton Sixth Form College pupil was told he could not appear and his dreams were shattered.

He has now been told he may be considered for a second series - but it would depend on the success of the first.

Production company Optomen Television had been inundated with more than 300 applications from people desperate to be on the show but John was one of only 12 young chefs that made it through.

Filming was due to start in London this weekend but his dreams were crushed on Monday when he received a call telling him he was too young to take part, because he was under 18.

John, of Cow Lees, Westhoughton, who is studying A-levels in religious studies, history and sociology, said: "I was ecstastic when I got the call to say they wanted me on the show. I absolutely love cooking. I help my dad out at his restaurant and I'm always cooking at home.

"My dad, Mario, sent in a video of his restaurant, Mario's in Westhoughton, to try and get on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and apparently he saw me working in the kitchen and thought I'd be good for his new show because it looked like my heart was in it.

"Because I hadn't had to fill in any application forms they didn't know my age. The production team were very apologetic and said they'd keep my name on file if there was another series next year but I was very disappointed.

"I'd like to be a chef when I leave school, so in the meantime I'm just going to carry on practising in my dad's kitchen."

A spokesman for Optomen Television Ltd said: "We really liked John and we are very sorry he was disappointed but we can only use people over the age of 18. We wish him all the best for the future."