THE BBC have been slapped with over 200 complaints after a guest on Saturday Kitchen had a screaming meltdown live on-air.
The corporation have revealed that those watching at home were quick to write in and air their complaints over a segment in the live cookery show that aired on the 6th of December.
Host Matt Tebutt was left open-mouthed when comedian James Acaster throw a joking tantrum whilst live on air.
James threw an epic tantrum that saw him scream and wail and smash part of the show’s set seemingly in rage after the results of a vote revealed that viewers would have prefered to eat his comedy pal Ed Gamble’s dish option over his.
Now, it has been confirmed that 232 people complained to the BBC with the complaints being categories as “inappropriate behaviour of a guest”.
It means the BBC will now take a look whether to formally invesigate and determine an outcome to the complaints.
The moment went viral with it appearing that some viewers were unable to ascertain whether James was joking or if he was genuinely distressed on the programme.
Amid rising discourse, Matt Tebutt was forced to issue an apology on the following week’s show regarding James’ behaviour.
As the cooking favourite returned, Matt put an end to the debate by addressing it head on.
“Now, before we go on, we just want to say on behalf of the whole team and guests on last week’s show, thank you all the viewers who commented about the end of the show’s shenanigans,” he told the cameras.
“This is a live entertainment programme and we are used to spontaneity, particularly by guests who happen to be comedians.
“In answer to those who were concerned, absolutely nobody here was offended as you can see, Paul the polar bear is fine and not a bauble was broken.”
He later added that this week they had “guests who know how to look after a bear” – a clear cheeky jab at James punching a polar bear decoration, in comparison to Paddington star, Hugh Bonneville, who was in the studio this week.
During the episode, James appeared alongside his Off Menu podcast co-host Ed Gamble, Great British Menu’s Andi Oliver and author Tasha Marikkar.
Ed and James went head-to-head in the public vote for the “heaven or hell” dish, with Ed picking tapas three-ways and James choosing a pannetone tiramisu.
Both dishes play into a running gag on their podcast, where James is famed for having a sweet tooth while Ed – who is diabetic – prefers a savoury cheeseboard.
When Matt read out the result of the vote, James started screaming when he realised he had lost.
As Ed raised his hands in victory, the rest of the panel descended into fits of laughter as an exaggerated James stood up, swiped a wreath and miniature presents from the table, and punched the life-size polar bear decoration behind him in the face.
He then started throwing decorations and trying to tear down the Christmas tree positioned behind Ed.
While those in the studio clearly took it all in good fun, viewers at home were left more divided by the moment, with some joking about what happened while others labelled his behaviour “nasty and vile” and demanding he be banned from returning.
“When I woke up this morning, James Acaster knocking a polar bear spark out on Saturday morning TV was the last thing I expected to see. This whole moment was just an absolutely incredible experience,” one fan wrote on X.
