ROSS Burden has died aged 45.
The MasterChef star, who became a finalist in 1993 and rose to fame as a TV chef, has passed away following a year-long battle with cancer.
He was diagnosed with leukaemia last year and recently received a bone marrow transplant.
Ross, whose sister told the New Zealand Herald that her was a 'larger than life' guy, later became a judge on MasterChef.
Paul Hollywood, along with a whole host of other celebrities, hit Twitter with a tribute to the late star this morning.
"I'm so sorry to hear the news that Ross Burden has died.. appearing for years in Ready, Steady Cook, my thoughts are with his family x," he wrote.
And Aldo Zilli added: "Remembering the good times on this very sad day for the Ross Burden family my thoughts are with you."
Our thoughts are with his family.
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