Gordon Ramsay 'offers' teen with dwarfism apprenticeship after rejection from college

18-year-old Louis Makepeace was described as being a ‘health and safety risk’

Gordon Ramsay has implied that he would offer an 18-year-old with dwarfism an apprenticeship after the teenager was refused from a cookery course for posing a “health and safety risk” to other students.

Louis Makepeace was originally awarded a conditional place at Heart of Worcestershire College to study Hospitality and Catering.

However, after discovering Makepeace’s height of 3ft 10in, the college reportedly withdrew its offer, stating that he may cause a “disruption” for the 14 other pupils on the course.

Makepeace found the whole situation “humiliating” and feared that it had put an end to his aspiration to work in the culinary arts.

“It was really upsetting as I had my heart set on this course,” he said.

“We are supposed to have equality of opportunity yet I’m not allowed to do something I love doing.”

After hearing about Makepeace’s ordeal, Gordon Ramsay tweeted his disapproval over the way in which he’d been treated by the college.

18-year-old Louis Makepeace was described as a 'health and safety risk' by a college (SWNS)

“Disgusting attitude, I’d offer him an apprenticeship any day,” Ramsay wrote.

Ramsay’s tweet has been liked more than 16,000 times, with many expressing their wish for the chef to make direct contact with the teenager.

“I really hope you give this young man a chance, and learning from you he could have a stellar career ahead of him,” one person tweeted.

Another person wrote: “If you would offer him an apprenticeship then do it. Actions speak louder than words!”

Makepeace has said that working with Ramsay would be a “dream come true”.

“It would be absolutely incredible if he is serious about it,” he said. “I can’t believe he as seen it and is supporting me as I am a huge fan of his.

“I watch all his videos on YouTube as well as his TV shows - I really love his leek and tarragon pasta recipe and I cook his stuff all the time.

Louis Makepeace originally had a conditional offer to study Hospitality and Catering at Heart of Worcestershire College (SWNS)

“It is just amazing to receive his backing. I can’t believe it.”

Makepeace has achondroplasia, a form of short-limbed dwarfism.

His height has never been an issue in the kitchen, having been cooking since he was a very young age.

“All the time I was at school I was always very confident, I had lots of friends and my disability was never an issue,” he said.

According to Makepeace’s mother, the person in charge of the course at the college said that his height would inhibit him from achieving a career in cookery.

“He said it was pointless doing the course as he would never be allowed to work in a restaurant kitchen anyway, even if he qualified. It was outrageous,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Heart of Worcestershire College has stated that Makepeace’s place at the college is “still under discussion”.

The Independent has contacted Ramsay to comment on his offer of an apprenticeship to Makepeace.