James Martin: 'Saturday Kitchen' won't be the same amid studio axing

Popular cooking show heading for major revamp with daytime edition scrapped and chef axed from presenting team

Chef James Martin has revealed ITV’s popular daytime cooking show, Saturday Kitchen, will never be the same again, after he was axed from the presenting line-up and the show was cut to a 30-minute weekly slot from September.

Martin, 50, has hosted Saturday Kitchen for almost 20 years, but recently hinted he could be leaving the show, telling viewers: “Change is always good isn’t it?”

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, James said: “ITV have decided they are going to make changes to Saturday Kitchen and unfortunately I won’t be part of those changes.

The multi-talented chef said he was “gutted” by the decision, but understood that ITV wanted to change the format of the show.

"Everyone has got to look at their budgets, so change was inevitable," James Martin said.

Former chef Matt Tebbutt will replace James Martin on Saturday Kitchen from September 3, when the show will air in a new 30-minute slot at 10am.

James Martin added: "Matt and I are very close friends and he will do a great job.

"I’m sure everyone will support him, but it won’t be the same."

James said of his future with the show: "Who knows what’s around the corner. I’m sure I will still be involved in some way. I want to wish them all the very best."

James will continue to host his ITV daytime show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, which airs at 9.25am every Saturday.

The show currently features a mix of cooking demonstrations, celebrity interviews, and food and drink related features.

Saturday Kitchen is one of ITV’s longest-running daytime shows and has been on air since 2002.

The show has been presented by a number of chefs over the years, including Antony Worrall Thompson, Simon Rimmer, and Jeff Baker.

James Martin took over as the main presenter of Saturday Kitchen in 2006.