A couple have taken over the restaurant which was savaged by chef Gordon Ramsay on his reality TV show.

But so confident are new owners Afzal Eusuf and Jan Jackman of turning the restaurant around, that they have pledged to invite the tongue-lashing cook back to see their success story.

The couple bought Bonapartes restaurant, in Kirkgate, Silsden, about six months ago.

It is now called Reflectionz and specialises in Spanish tapas dishes. The cook is of Spanish origin.

Bonapartes was the first to be featured on the first series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares two years ago.

It was run by Sue Ray, 55, who later went bust and is now living on benefits.

Miss Jackman, who also runs a property business, said: "I have said all along that when we are established, I will invite Gordon Ramsay back and show him a place that can work.

"I think Ramsay's criticisms were constructive. I think in the end Sue Ray just took on too much for one person."

"We will be pleased to have him back before the end of the year, we are that confident," said Mr Eusuf, who is a mechanical engineer by profession, but has also worked in catering with his parents.

"I think he was correct about Bonapartes, but this is Reflectionz."

He stressed that they were unaware of the national reputation of the restaurant when they first saw it for sale.

They only saw the show when it was screened for a second run, he revealed.

Miss Jackman said: "But that didn't put us off because we could see where the problems lay."

They started completely afresh, with new restaurant fittings and a new kitchen with new equipment steam cleaned from floor to ceiling.

At present they are just serving food on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and running the bar from Tuesday to Saturday, from 6pm.

Miss Jackman added: "Silsden people have been very welcoming. They are grateful that we are trying to build up the reputation of the restaurant they feel Bonapartes gave Silsden the wrong reputation."

The couple, who are in their 40s, have been together for two years after meeting on the internet through Friends Reunited.

They first met as students at the University of Huddersfield.

Gordon Ramsay has accepted damages of £75,000 from Associated Newspapers after an article in the London Evening Standard wrongly claimed he faked scenes at Bonapartes to make it look like a public health hazard.

The newspaper group accepted at the London High Court that the allegations were untrue and that the Bonapartes programme portrayed an accurate picture of the restaurant.