Gogglebox’s Steph and Dom insist disgusting pictures ‘inside kitchen’ of their restaurant are FAKE
The pair claim 'unkind' former employee whose job it was to keep their kitchen clean leaked the images and now they're getting the blame
SHOCKING photographs which appear to show the disgusting state of Gogglebox's most popular stars Steph and Dom Parker's £200-per-night B&B have appeared online.
The images, claimed to be taken inside the kitchen of The Salutation in Sandwich, Kent, show dirty worktops with dead insects floating in blocked sinks, rotting meat inside filthy fridges and an oven covered with thick grease.
But The Sun Online can reveal that Steph and Dom claim they are the victims of an "unkind, unnecessary, cruel stitch up" and the pictures do not show the inside of their kitchen at all.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, Dom admitted that he didn't recognise the kitchen in the images as he stated: "That could be anyone's, I've never seen it look like that."
And he explained that the only image he recognises is actually one photo taken in his cellar, not the kitchen, where he keeps pots of paint and his tools.
Dom revealed that the images were leaked by a disgruntled former employee whose job was to keep the kitchen of their upmarket restaurant, The Dining Room, clean, after the restaurant recently received a one star rating.
"Last year we got a five star rating, but this guy got himself in a bit of a pickle and didn't keep on top of things," said Dom. "It was his responsibility to keep the place clean and he wasn't performing properly - it's all down to that guy and now we're getting the blame."
Talking through each of the shocking images, Dom explained that the blocked sink picture had been taken immediately after someone poured something down the drain.
He was adamant that the meat in the fridge was not off and argued that he eats meals at the restaurant regularly and has never had any issues.
The 51-year-old said: "Nobody has ever been poisoned after eating our food, I eat there regularly."
Dom then went on to point out that some of the images did not actually feature the kitchen, but were in fact showcasing the B&B's cellar which is used to store items "like a shed".
He reiterated that he didn't recognise any pictures of the kitchen as he repeated: "They could have been taken anywhere, inside anyone's oven or fridge."
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Other pictures showed the inside of an ice machine covered in mould and dirty liquid, unswept floors and various parts of the kitchen and fridge covered in grime.
Dom explained that the inspector only asked for "small improvements", asking for the pair to repair some cracked tiles and fixing door units.
But the reality star explained that he had been the one who requested for the doors to be removed a couple of years ago in order to create a more open plan feel to the kitchen because he liked it clean and minimal.
Speaking about the star rating Dom quipped: "We had five stars last year. The inspector didn't close us down. If it was that bad then he would have. In terms of cleanliness, we were on it like a Gin and Tonic."
When asked about the disgruntled former employee who released the images, Dom described him as "a nice guy, regular, bit of an issue with cleanliness... according to himself."
The Gogglebox star added that the decision to release the pictures "was unkind, unnecessary and a stitch up that could have a dangerous, knock-on effect to our business."
Dom added that all the requested changes have been made since their rating review as he said: "Everything has been put right. We are just waiting for a revisit from the inspector."
As for the future of The Salutation, Dom stated: "I have every faith in the staff there and the new person in charge."
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