Marco Pierre White's £25 tip at Weymouth fish and chip shop

Marco has a real history of visiting Weymouth and enjoying the food on offer in the town.

Back in November 2007 he was full of praise for the young staff at Fish 'n' Fritz, Weymouth when he popped in for dinner.

Waitress Nikki Davies said the well-known chef was much nicer than he came across on the television show Hell's Kitchen, where he got a reputation for having a short temper.

Marco Pierre-White

Customers soon recognised the famous English chef while he was tucking into his cod and chips and told the staff.

Fish 'n' Fritz in Weymouth, where Marco Pierre White left a £25 tip

Miss Davies said: "When I found out it was him I was a bit nervous, but he was so nice and invited me to talk to him that I felt fine with him straight away."

"I found him to be a lovely and charming man and he was full of compliments for me and he also praised how the chef Jason cooked."

Nikki Davies and Hayley Layton, who both served up a feast for Marco Pierre White

She added: "He said that if he was my boss he'd be proud of how I worked and jokingly offered me a job in one of his London restaurants.

"There wasn't one swear word that left his mouth at all."

This was the second time in recent months that Marco had visited one of the fish and chip restaurants in Weymouth accompanied by friends and his son, Luciano, who went to Milton Abbey School near Blandford.

Owner of Fish 'n' Fritz Paul Hay said: "My staff said that he was really complimentary and even left a £25 tip.

"It's always nice to have someone of his level appreciate our food and it's great for the two young staff to have compliments from someone like that."

Fish 'n' Fritz in Market Street had also received the seal of approval from celebrity chef Rick Stein - featuring in his Seafood Lovers Guide.

In February 2013 Marco Pierre White returned to Weymouth to enjoy haddock and chips at the Marlboro on Weymouth harbourside.

But this time he left just a £5 tip!

Marlboro manager Shaun Hatton said: “It was very busy when he came in. He came in with another man and a woman.

“They sat in the restaurant and had haddock and chips, the same as when he visited a few years ago. He’s been in two or three times.”

The Marlboro, Weymouth

Mr Hatton added: “The waitress recognised him.

“She said that he was quite quiet but very nice and polite.

“He tipped well, £5.

“They left clean plates which is always good.”

Another Weymouth fish and chip shop Marco has frequented is the Seagull Café in Trinity Street.

Seagull Cafe, Weymouth

The question we are left asking now is what kind of size tips Marco Pierre White will be leaving at his son's restaurant in Brewery Square, Dorchester?