Celebrity chef and former Big Brother contestant Herjender 'Gos' Gosal has left the Oxford restaurant where he has been cooking up a storm for the last two years.

Larger than life Gos decided to leave the restaurant at Oxford Greyhound Stadium, in Cowley, where he worked as executive chef, in order to pursue a career on the airwaves.

Gos, who made his name after appearing on Big Brother with John Tickle in 2003, said he would miss his colleagues in the city, but joked some of his kitchen staff would not miss his Gordon Ramsay-style antics.

Gos, 36, said: "I didn't really want to leave, but with radio and running my own catering company I've got so much on my plate I had to give something up.

"It's been nice to see what things are happening in Oxford culinary wise. Obviously, Raymond Blanc's near the city and Jamie Oliver's going to be opening a restaurant soon - and even if we were not quite on their level, we do a very good job at the stadium."

"It was really sad saying goodbye to my kitchen team who do an excellent job. Maybe some of them will not miss my swearing because I make Gordon Ramsay look like a schoolboy.

"I'm notorious for it in the kitchen, but when you are in that sort of environment you just want things done - and done a certain way."

The talented chef, from Vauxhall, in London, added: "Some people in the stadium recognised I was in Big Brother.

"When I got a compliment from a diner, and went out into the restaurant, people would be surprised to find out it was me who cooked their dinner.

"I get recognised by teenagers and people in their early 20s a lot. People still remember me from the show, but you have got to move on from that."

Gos is leaving to continue his radio career after taking over as presenter of Premier League football show Kicking Off on the BBC Asian Network in November and to work more on his own company, Fresh 'N' Funky catering.

The stadium's manager, Maureen Ridley, said: "We will miss Gos, he is a real character.

"He's outgoing, loves a joke and is quite loud.

"We are sad to see him leave. People recognise him all the time, he's very much the celebrity. We are proud of his work here.

"In the last two years he has taken the food at the stadium to a different level.

"He is a great chef, but I'm sure he will be great on the radio too."