The 'real reason' behind BBC chef Matt Tebbutt's lengthy 'feud' with James Martin
Matt Tebbutt replaced James Martin on BBC's Saturday Kitchen back in 2016 with the two throwing sly digs at each other since.
James Martin steps away after chefs argue about cutting chicken
TV chefs and BBC Saturday Kitchen stars Matt Tebbutt and James Martin have been known to throw sly digs out at each other over the years, leading to speculation of a "feud" or a "rivalry". Matt stepped in to replace James on the BBC show in 2016 after he moved over to host ITV James Martin's Saturday Morning.
Podcaster Mark Wogan questioned the rivalry while interviewing Matt on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast. He asked: "There's a mild rivalry with weekend chefs? What is that about?"
The TV chef replied: "Viewing figures! Can we stay on air? Can we pay our mortgage?" Mark said: "There's your good self, there's James, who used to be where you are."
Matt continued: "[James is] doing exactly the same thing on ITV. After wanting to leave..." He later added that the celebrity chefs do get on, describing comments between the presenters as "friendly rivalry".
Back in 2016, James decided to quit his role hosting Saturday Kitchen on BBC One after presenting the show for 10 years. At the time he wished his replacement "every success".
In a statement at the time, he said: “I would like to thank the BBC and Saturday Kitchen for the great opportunity they gave me. It has been an amazing journey and I have been privileged to work with some of the world’s greatest chefs and some of the greatest names in showbiz.
“I wish the new chefs every success. I am looking forward to getting stuck into my new projects and to lots of lie-ins on a Saturday morning.”
Elsewhere, Matt recently announced that he is making a career move away from TV. He shared that he has written a new book.
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Matt shared the news on Instagram, giving fans a sneak peek of the different recipes featured in his book, titled Matt Tebbutt's pub food.
He wrote: "Hot off the press, my new cookbook! A shot of my FACE and also some of my favourite recipes that you’ll find inside.
"You can pre-order now at all good booksellers. Link in my Bio. Matt Tebbutt’s Pub Food."
James Martin’s Saturday Morning airs Saturday (June 22) at 9.30am on ITV1 and ITVX.
Saturday Kitchen airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 10am the same day.