Advertisement

Millionaire James Martin Reveals: ‘I Quit Saturday Kitchen Due To Whining Viewers, Cuts And Pay’

He is leaving the show next month after 10 years and made it look like one of the cushiest jobs on the box.

Behind the scenes James Martin was struggling and has now revealed he felt his role as host on Saturday Kitchen was a nightmare due to “moaning viewers”, budgets being slashed – and no payrise despite solid viewing figures.

The celebrity chef, below – worth an estimated £3.5million – blasted the decision to put a halt to the cookery series having guests in the studio during its live broadcast because they couldn’t afford cameos.

image

James said: “That wasn’t my decision. I liked having the studio guests. It was the BBC’s decision. Budget cuts… and don’t look at me, I didn’t get a pay rise.”

The 43-year-old added he will now sleep more soundly as he was stressed by critical viewers.

He said: “There are two women who annoy me on the show, one is called Sarah and she says I put too much salt in things.

“The other is Doreen and she normally complains I haven’t washed my hands.”

image

James is currently on his personal tour Plates, Mates & Automobiles and said he dreads the thought of Doreen coming to see him.

Joking about the caller, he added to the Daily Mirror: “Every bloody week she phones in. If she’s on this tour I’m gonna do this,” before mocking her gripe about his personal hygiene by blowing his nose on a towel and rubbing it into a chopping board.

He will present his final episodes next month, after which his mum is hoping he will abdicate to Come Dine With Me.

Guest presenters will fill in for James after he leaves while a new host is found.