How far would you stretch the truth to impress people?

A chef from Swindon faces losing his US cooking show after it was discovered that he had lied about his achievements. His desire to promote himself to open up career opportunities seems to have got the better of him.

Robert Irvine claimed to have made part of Charles and Diana’s wedding cake, and to have prepared meals for Presidents, despite having only picked fruit for the cake and worked in the White House mess. He also claimed to have a Knighthood, and that the Queen had given him a Scottish castle as a present, both of which Buckingham Palace dispute.

Irvine had not only worked on Dinner: Impossible, but had also written a book to accompany the show and lent his name to a “Royal Titanium” cookware range (which some vendors are now withdrawing from sale).

Irvine is far from alone in getting a career boost from half-truths, however; reportedly, one in four people lie on their CVs. Vested interest can affect us all.