Alexei Zimin: London Russian TV chef found dead in Belgrade hotel

Mr Zimin was found dead inside a hotel room in Belgrade, according to reports in Russian media.

Mr Zimin had arrived in Belgrade to present and promote his new book, Anglomania, about the UK, Moskvich Mag reported.

Restaurateur Ivan Shishkin paid tribute to his Mr Zimin, saying he had helped Russian consumers pay more attention to what they ate.

“The fact that people in Russia started to consume consciously – when you know what you eat and why – is a huge merit of his,” Mr Shishkin told the website Meduza.

Zima said: “For us, Alexei was not only a colleague, he was our friend, a close person with whom we were lucky to go through a lot – both good, kind and sad.

“Thank you to everyone for the words we [have received] today about Alexei. We are hurting together with you.

“The entire Zima team expresses condolences to Alexei’s family and mourns together with them.”