AN APPEAL has been launched to help find a popular chef who has gone missing from Purley.

Kevin Boyle, from Old Lodge Lane, was last seen in the town centre last on Thursday afternoon last week.

The 26-year-old has a history of depression and his family and friends are very concerned for his well-being.

Update: A body was found in Coulsdon which was later identified as Kevin's. An inquest has been opened and adjourned, but police are not treating it as suspicious. Kevin's sister Naomi Anderson and friend Peter Fosdike paid tribute to Kevin, describing him as a kind, caring, compassionate and intelligent man, while his former mentor Jamie Oliver described him as representing all that was good in Fifteen and in people.

The community at Purley Baptist Church, where Kevin is a member, have been holding prayer meetings and posting flyers and handing out leaflets.

Family friend Peter Fosdike set up a website, www.findkevin.co.uk, and thousands of messages have been sent out on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

An appeal was also broadcast to fans crowded into Selhurst Park on Tuesday night for Crystal Palace’s match against Bristol City.

Kevin’s father Tom said he was touched by the community’s support.

"We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone whop has rallied round and gone out of their way to help," he added.

"We have been absolutely amazed by all their kindness and support."

Mr Fosdike described Kevin as a ‘wonderful young man’ and a talented chef.

"He is exceptionally popular and much loved by all those around him," Mr Fosdike said.

"He is lively and humorous and always at social gathering and church events.

"He has many friends from many different parts of his life, who are all very upset about his disappearance."

Update: Six weeks passes since Kevin was last seen

Kevin, a keen Crystal Palace fan, studied at what was then Coulsdon High and is now Oasis Academy Coulsdon, followed by Croydon College and Lancaster University, and has wanted to be a chef since he was young.

In the spring of 2002 he made it to the final 30 of 1,500 people who applied to be part of Jamie Oliver’s first-ever Fifteen venture, a social enterprise aimed at teaching young people to run a restaurant in London.

He so impressed the TV chef with his dedication and skill that he was selected to work alongside him in the televised series.

He also spent time at elite restaurants in the city, including Le Caprice, St John and Smiths of Smithfield, and has prepared food for Prince Charles at Clarence House, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and has been working at Vinoteca in Farringdon.

In May, Kevin started a campaign to find a financial backer for a restaurant he wanted to set up in Purley.

Among the celebrities who have joined the appeal to help find him have been Jamie Oliver and fellow television chef John Torode, Guardian columnist Charlie Brooker, authors Mark Millar and Neil Gaiman, food critic and film director Michael Winner, television personality Christine Hamilton, comedian Eddie Izzard and actress Lisa Faulkner.

A statement from Jamie Oliver said he and the whole Fifteen team were concerned about Kevin.

"Kevin has always been hugely supportive of apprentices and graduates moving from Fifteen into the catering industry," he added.

"Kevin attended the most recent Fifteen London graduation back in late September, and was on very good form.

"If anyone knows the whereabouts of Kevin, please do ask him to get in touch. His family and his many friends and worried about him, and simply want to hear that he’s fine and that he’s coming home."

Kevin is described as 5ft 6ins tall, of stocky build with fair hair and a receding hairline, and he was last seen wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call police on 020 8649 0258.