ANTHONY Bourdain, a gifted storyteller and writer who took viewers around the world, has died. He was 61.

United States television network CNN reported Bourdain’s death today, and said the cause of death was suicide.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement today.

“His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink, and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Bourdain was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series, Parts Unknown.

His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room today. – June 8, 2018.