A BODY found in Coulsdon yesterday is believed to be that of missing Purley chef Kevin Boyle.

The 26-year-old, who learned his trade by the side of Jamie Oliver, has been missing since October 12 last year.

A Croydon Police statement released at 4.20pm today (Monday) read: "Police were called at 12.49pm on Sunday, 22 January to reports of a body found in the rear garden of a residential address in Chaldon Way, Coulsdon.

"The death is being treated as unexplained at this stage.

"A post mortem is due to be held at Croydon mortuary on 24 January.

"The deceased is believed to be Kevin Boyle, a 26 year-old-man who was reported missing from Purley on Wednesday 12 October 2011, however we await formal identification."

Mr Boyle's next-of-kin have been notified.

Update: The body has been confirmed as Kevin's. 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 Advertiser has previously reported how tens of thousands of messages were put out on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, of which Kevin was a regular user, appealing for his safe return. 

The keen Crystal Palace fan, of Old Lodge Lane, studied at what was then Coulsdon High and is now Oasis Academy Coulsdon, followed by Croydon College and Lancaster University.

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, later spending time at elite restaurants in the city, including Le Caprice, St John and Smiths of Smithfield, and preparing food for the likes of Prince Charles and Tony Blair.

Mr Oliver told the Press Association: "I'm deeply saddened by this tragic news. I am proud to have been

able to call Kevin a friend for 10 years and he was also a constant supporter of Fifteen and all the apprentices and graduates who came after him through the course.

"I last saw him in September 2011 at the graduation ceremony for the ninth group of apprentices and he was on good form which makes this news even harder to take.

"My thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time."

Along with his former mentor Oliver, Masterchef host John Torode and comic Eddie Izzard were among the celebrities who supported the hunt for Kevin, following his disappearance.

Kevin's father Tom previously thanked the community for their help and said the family had been "amazed" by all the kindness and support they had received.

On Tuesday, friends and colleagues paid tribute to Kevin on social networking sites.

The Crystal Palace Supporters' Trust Tweeted: "Sad to learn of the death of #cpfc fan Kevin Boyle. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. at this difficult time. RIP."

Peter Berry added: "Very sad news about Kevin Boyle. Always friendly, helpful, a diamond."

Did you know Kevin Boyle? Please leave your tributes below, email joanna.till@essnmedia.co.uk or call 020 8760 7620.