Saturday Kitchen viewers switched off this weekend over a presenter shake-up.
Fans were left fuming as host Matt Tebbutt, 49, was replaced by Alex Jones, 46, with many arguing that a chef should have been hired to stand in.
During BBC Breakfast, Charlie Stayt, 61, threw to the Saturday Kitchen studio to tease what was coming up on the show at 10am.
Speaking via video link to Alex, Charlie noted: ‘Matt’s disappeared and you’re there instead!’ with The One Show star Alex enthusing: ‘Absolutely! Matt’s away and I’m here to play!’
Matt’s representatives confirmed to MailOnline that the much-loved host was absent due to having a long standing commitment and will return to the show next week.
Saturday Kitchen viewers switched off this weekend over a presenter shake-up as host Matt Tebbutt, 49, was replaced by Alex Jones, 46
Frustrating! Fans were left fuming, with many arguing that a chef should have been hired to stand in for Matt (Pictured) who was absent due to a long standing commitment
Fuming: Upon realising who Matt’s stand-in was, viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent their overwhelming disappointment
Upon realising who Matt’s stand-in was, viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent their overwhelming disappointment, with one tweeting: ‘Alex Jones hosting #SaturdayKitchen Why ??? I’m gone.’
‘Saw Alex Jones and switched #SaturdayKitchen off immediately,’ wrote another with a third adding: ‘@SaturdayKitchen Alex Jones, god no! Switching to ITV and @jamesmartinchef.’
One viewer argued: ‘Presumably Matt is off filming for Channel 4 or something. Nothing against Alex Jones (apart from her ubiquity), but a renta-presenter isn’t really in the ethos of #SaturdayKitchen which has been presented by a professional chef since they got rid of the #masterchef greengrocer.’
Someone responded: ‘yes .. exactly my thought .. turned it off – her inane drivel is annoying … plenty of Chefs could stand in to present and give real food incite.’
With a similar sentiment, another fan tweeted: ‘I have nothing against Alex Jones but it makes no sense having her present. It has to be a chef who can actually do the cooking segments.
‘Why when there are so many you could get? It detracts from the show. @TheoRandall could have done it, saved some £ as well.’
One disgruntled viewer noted: ‘No offence to Alex Jones, nice lady but *Olly Smith would have been the stand-in host for me this morning – he’s done it brilliantly before for me.’
‘#SaturdayKitchen please give lofty or the studio cat a chance to present next time @matt_tebbutt is off. In fact anyone or anything apart from Alex Jones,’ begged another person.
Supportive: However, a couple of viewers were in favour of Alex hosting Saturday Kitchen
However, a couple of viewers were in favour of Alex hosting Saturday Kitchen, with one asking: ‘What on earth has Alex Jones done wrong. The comments here! #saturdaykitchen.’
Another admitted: ‘I’m quite enjoying Alex’s presenting style this morning. #saturdaykitchen.’
MailOnline has contacted Saturday Kitchen for comment.
Alex has stood in for the TV chef before: Back in February, she stepped in to host the show while Matt busy working away on another project,
At the time, the presenter joked: ‘Do you know what? I’ve kidnapped Matt, I haven’t! I actually haven’t! He’s away working so I’m here for one day only. It’s a dream come true, I love this programme.’
