PAUL YOUNG & LEE RYAN'S MUM

Sunday Mirror, Sep 9, 2007 by LARA GOULD TV Reporter

PAUL Young enjoyed a steamy affair with the mum of sacked Hell's Kitchen co-star Lee Ryan.

The 1980s singer dated hairdresser Sheila Ryan after his 20-year marriage ended in 2006.

The romance - now over - came to light days after former Blue singer Lee was booted off the ITV show following a series of rows with other contestants.

Lee, 24, had also clashed with head chef Marco Pierre White over a jibe about "pikeys". A Hell's Kitchen insider said: "Paul and Sheila dated for a while but they're not a couple any more.

"They were both single. They weren't breaking any rules. But Lee and his mum are very close and talk almost every day. There's no doubt Lee knew about his mum's romance.

"He never mentioned it on the show. But it can't have helped ease pressure in the kitchen knowing he was living and working alongside a guy who'd bedded his mum."

Last week Sheila, 48, dined at Hell's Kitchen in East London. She tried to talk to Lee, but made no attempt to speak to Paul, 51.