Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty has adopted recognizable mannerisms of his father-in-law, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, according to body language expert Judi James. James told the Daily Mail that these instances suggest Peaty is channeling Ramsay, sometimes to the point where it evokes comparisons to Ramsay's television shows. "There are moments when he is channeling his father-in-law so hard here that you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a retro episode of Hell's Kitchen," James stated.
These observations come after Peaty's performance at the Commonwealth Games in July, where he expressed disappointment and alluded to personal difficulties. "It's hard because I know how hard I've worked," Peaty said in a post-race interview. "I know the s**t I've been through, which is no fault of my own. It does take a toll."
Peaty has previously spoken about his admiration for Ramsay, calling him an "incredible energy to be around and an incredible person to have that guidance from." James suggests this admiration may extend to hero worship, with Peaty potentially seeing Ramsay as a father figure and desiring to impress him and strengthen their bond.
The expert noted several instances of non-verbal "twinning" during Peaty's interviews. These include his posture, with his chest and upper arms posed to appear large, and the way he folds his arms, tucking his hands into his torso, a signature style of Ramsay's. James also observed a similar side-to-side rocking motion, which she associates with Ramsay's high energy tinged with frustration.
Further mirroring was seen in Peaty's communication style. James pointed to his hand running through his hair and scratching the back of his head when puzzled by his results, as well as his swearing and staccato delivery with an upward vocal tone, reminiscent of Ramsay's verbal patterns.
This mirroring reportedly began before the Commonwealth Games. Peaty has been photographed in poses similar to Ramsay's, often on red carpets or by swimming pools. Even public displays of affection towards his pregnant wife, Holly Ramsay, such as pecks on the lips and rubbing her baby bump, have been noted as actions Gordon Ramsay has displayed with his wife, Tana.
James believes that while babies learn through mimicry, adults who mimic often do so out of admiration or hero worship. Peaty's behavior suggests he aspires to Ramsay's strength and presence. The two men are also believed to have bonded during a period when Peaty's brother was arrested for alleged threats. Gordon Ramsay was reportedly very supportive, drawing on his own experiences with family legal issues.