The planned opening for a television chef’s high-end authentic Italian restaurant has been delayed – just a week after a set date was confirmed.

Giancarlo Caldesi confirmed to the Ham&High earlier in March that he was set to open his restaurant Caldesi in Belsize Lane on April 3.

However this has been delayed, the Belsize Village Business Association has said.

The restaurant is taking over the former Calici restaurant after it suddenly closed its doors in December last year.

Mr Caldesi has already established his name in London after living in the city for 50 years, opening his restaurant in Marylebone in 2002 and running his cooking school La Cucina Caldesi with his wife Katie for nearly 17 years.

The television chef, who first starred in the BBC series Return to Tuscany and has also appeared on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef, hopes to be welcomed by the community in Belsize Park.

According to the business association, the delay is due to an “electricity fault” found during renovations.

A revised opening date has not been announced just yet.

Prior to this delay, Mr Caldesi told the Ham&High that his heart was set on opening by the end of February.

He continued: “I’ve been in London in the last 50 years, and I’ve made sure that knowing Belsize Park, Marylebone, all of these places which are wonderful areas really.”

Robert Stephenson-Padron, co-ordinator of the Belsize Village Business Association, said: “A wonderful addition to the village.

"Welcome Caldesi to beautiful Belsize Village. Thank you for fittingly investing in the Italian piazza in London.”