A beloved Indian restaurant which once delivered to Kensington Palace has closed down after 42 years in business.
Samrat Indian Cuisine in Ealing, west London is a firm favourite of former England football star Peter Crouch, who has been visiting since he was a child.
While recording an episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast in July 2020, Prince William surprised his host by having a curry from Samrat delivered to them in Kensington Palace.
And the footballer even said he considered naming his fourth child after the restaurant.
After the birth of his and wife Abbey Clancy’s youngest son, Jack, in June 2019, the couple joked that he would be named ‘Divock Samrat Crouch’ in a nod to his favourite curry house and Liverpool striker Divock Origi, who had recently scored the winning goal in the Champions League Final.
In a tribute to Samrat, Peter said: ‘We laughed, we cried, we scalded our lips on the phall.
‘We went to the palace to meet the Prince and you woke me up in my bedroom with a madras once.
‘Wherever we went in the world we always came back. Thanks for the memories. Thank you Samrat.’
Shafrul Islam, who had run Samrat for over four decades, said Peter had been in touch with him since the restaurant shut in an attempt to try and save it – but he and his partner were ‘not healthy’ and could no longer carry on.
Mr Islam, 64, said: ‘It was sad to close, but we are not healthy anymore and can’t carry on. Peter got in touch. He was trying to help but it’s too late now.
‘He was sad, but everybody’s sad. He was a local guy. He was coming as a kid with his mum and dad. I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve been to his house in Portugal.’
Over the years Mr Islam said the restaurant had served several celebrities, from comedian Rowan Atkinson and politician Neil Kinnock, to footballers Joe Cole and Aaron Ramsdale.
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Back in 2023, he brought a chicken madras to Peter’s holiday home in Portugal as part of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, where the footballer was able to correctly identify which of three curries came from Samrat.
He posted a handwritten note in the restaurant’s front window explaining: ‘After nearly four decades we have made the difficult decision to close our doors.
‘Thank you for trusting us with birthdays, anniversaries, quiet evenings and everyday moments.
‘Your loyalty has meant everything and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of the community.
‘It’s time to say goodbye, with immense gratitude. With love and thanks, Samrat.’
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