Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are usually seen crossing over to the Saturday Kitchen studio to find out what is coming up from Matt Tebbutt and his guest chefs. Last weekend, however, the BBC Breakfast presenters were not in the BBC studio but instead the celebrity guests on the popular cooking show. Throughout the morning, they were seen discussing their day jobs, tasting the food and having a good time. But those watching at home were less than impressed by their behaviour and branded the pair “rude” and “disruptive”, so much so, 100 official complaints were made to the broadcaster.
While Matt was hosting the show and cooking the majority of dishes, Yotam Ottolenghi was the guest chef.
Naga and Charlie were seen sitting at the round table, sampling the dishes and chatting with the presenter, but several of their comments infuriated those watching at home.
While many fumed on Twitter, it has been revealed 100 people complained to the BBC directly and a statement from the broadcaster in response read: “Saturday Kitchen Live’s format allows for an informal chatty style and the guests are encouraged to feel relaxed in the studio…
“Some viewers found the behaviour and comments of the guests this week to be inappropriate and that they were rude to presenter Matt.
“We appreciate the feedback and we shared it with the Saturday Kitchen team.”
READ MORE: Naga Muchetty takes a swipe at Carol Kirkwood’s ‘nightmare’ food
During one moment of the show, Matt asked: “You’ve had a tough year right?” To which Naga replied: “Everyone’s had a tough year.”
“Everyone’s had a tough year, but to read for three to four hours a day that news – it’s pretty hard going,” he continued.
Charlie said: “You’ve really brought the tone down, haven’t you? I thought you were going to ask ‘what’s it like getting up in the morning?’ but you’ve gone -”
And Naga then interrupted: “For everyone who wants to turn off the news and might want a bit of relaxation, don’t tune into Saturday Kitchen, it’s not worth it! Yotam’s going to take over and then it’s going to be loads better.”
Another time, Naga turned to Matt and asked: “What does your food like? Chaotic?”
“It’s what’s inside my head,” he defended and she reiterated: “Chaotic.”
When Matt was in the kitchen, Yotam who was sitting on the side commented: “Do you think feta would be quite nice?” In terms of changing the main cheese ingredient.
“That wouldn’t work,” Matt joked and then added: “No, of course, it would!”
Charlie then hollered: “Shall we have a poll as to who we think has got the right call on that one?”
And Naga said: “This just proves my point, Yotam should be doing all of them. He’s got all the better ideas.”
“It’s no wonder Matt’s a bit anxious with you two in the room, it’s a bit intimating. If it was a real chef in here and I had to cook I would be intimated,” Yotam continued.
“Do you always have such glee when it happens?” Charlie asked Matt and he replied: “Totally, I revel in misery.”
He then got on with preparing the dish and Naga remarked: “I’m in shock.”
“Why?” Matt said. “After you were mean to the host of the nation’s favourite cookery show!”
“We weren’t mean!” She hit back. “I’m not disputing it’s the nation’s favourite cookery show, we were just having a laugh.”
But viewers didn’t see it that way. Tweets that day read: “Can someone tell Naga and Charlie they’re not presenting? Constant interruptions. I think Matt deserves a medal for the way he is handling their rudeness.”
“Should have put Superglue Sandwich on on the #saturdaykitchen menu….for Naga and Charlie gobs… Charlie and Naga deserved to get food hell,” another tweet read.
Someone else chimed: “Well done Matt!… Good, Charlie and Naga were absolutely awful, I’m surprised it wasn’t 100%. Obnoxious, rude, self-obsessed. Matt and Yotam working hard to keep it together with those two children in the studio.”
One, however, disagreed: “Can’t help but laugh at the Twitter rage on #SaturdayKitchen at Naga & Charlie. I think @matt_tebbutt has handled the banter with bashful good grace.”
And someone else said: “I think the teasing that Matt usually courts is what makes the show fresh and entertaining… Best TV I’ve seen in ages. Laughed so much. Well done Naga and Charlie. Don’t listen to the negative comments. X.”
Saturday Kitchen airs Saturday mornings at 9.30 on BBC One.
