Earlier this year, Jamie Oliver turned 50, and the chef has now reflected on how he truly felt about reaching this half-century milestone, even dropping a hint about his family life hopes, which he has kept hidden from wife Jools Oliver.

Across his multiple-decade-long cooking career, Jamie has been through several business ventures and is now preparing for the return of his Jamie’s Italian cooking chain to the high street.

This will mark Jamie’s latest business adventure following the launch of his Catherine Street restaurant in Covent Garden, one Reach Plc reviewedearlier this year.

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Opening up to the Mail on how he felt about turning 50, Jamie remarked that he felt much better about it than he did 10 years earlier, as he eagerly waits for the next generation of his family to arrive.

Jamie, whose eldest daughter Poppy is 23-years-old, said: “I remember that my 40th birthday really annoyed me.

“Now I feel much more relaxed and ready for anything. And even though I would never tell my wife this, I’m really looking forward to grandchildren.”

Jamie and his other half Jools share five children; daughters Poppy, Daisy, 22, Petal, 16, and sons Buddy, 15, and nine-year-old River.

On turning 40, he added: “That was quite a turning point, but also wonderful. I’m just glad to be alive at all. We shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Jamie recently reflected upon the rollercoaster ride of his career, following the announcement that Jamie’s Italian would be making a comeback to the high street six years after it went into administration in 2019.

The first of the new sites will open in central London’s Leicester Square, with plans to expand later on.

Speaking about the new menu, which Jamie is designing himself, the famous chef said it was the perfect time for him to return despite economic circumstances suggesting it might not be the easiest, reports the BBC.

He said: “In theory it's not the easiest time to return but conversely, I think it's the perfect time. I believe the mid-market needs excitement, surprise and delight and that's exactly what I am planning on delivering.”

As well as battling economic and culinary headwinds, Jamie has spoken about keeping an eye on his health as he gets older.

He also told the Mail: “I had a little MOT a year and a half ago, and the doctor said: ‘You've got to sort out this stuff.’ I'm paid to eat. I do eat good stuff, but I eat too much of it. I'm greedy, I love it.”