The usually serene world of Saturday morning cookery was spectacularly upended this weekend when comedian James Acaster staged a furious, set-wrecking meltdown live on BBC One.
A Festive Rampage Erupts
The incident occurred on Saturday, 6th December 2025, during the closing segment of the popular show. Acaster was appearing alongside his Off Menu podcast co-host Ed Gamble to promote their upcoming live shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
Following the programme's tradition, viewers were asked to vote on which guest's chosen dish should be enjoyed at the end: Gamble's selection of a tapas trio or Acaster's pick of a Panettone-Christmas pudding hybrid. The result proved explosive.
Ed Gamble's tapas paradise won with 54% of the public vote, a defeat that immediately triggered a theatrical tantrum from the losing comedian.
Punching Polar Bears and Flipping Tables
Bellowing "Nooo!", Acaster launched into a chaotic rampage. He violently overturned the Christmas wreath adorning the guests' table, punched a stuffed polar bear in the face, and wrestled with a Christmas tree while hurling decorative baubles across the studio floor.
Host Matt Tebbutt and fellow guests, including chefs Andi Oliver, Tasha Marikkar, and Ben Lippett, plus sommelier Helen McGinn, were seen in hysterics at the clearly pre-planned outburst. However, the reaction from the audience at home was sharply divided.
Viewers Split: Apology Demands vs. Comedic Praise
A significant portion of viewers took to social media platform X to condemn the behaviour as immature and disgraceful. One user demanded: "Matt & the BBC should give an apology on next weeks show, for the disgraceful behaviour on today's show."
Another critic called it a "car crash of a show" and suggested producers should have taken the programme off air. One disgruntled viewer simply stated they didn't find Acaster's act "funny in the slightest".
Yet, amidst the criticism, a strong contingent of fans rallied to the comedian's defence, arguing the meltdown was obvious satire. One supporter countered, saying it was a shame if people couldn't tell he was "play acting".
Another hailed the moment as "the televisual highlight of 2025", delighting in the absurdity of a guest flipping a table and punching a polar bear on a cooking show. A final fan declared it the "best Saturday Kitchen" they'd seen, siding with Acaster's dessert preference.
The dramatic segment has certainly left a mark, sparking fierce debate over the limits of comedy on a mainstream BBC programme. Whether seen as cringe-worthy or comic genius, James Acaster's explosive exit ensured this episode of Saturday Kitchen, available on BBC iPlayer, will be remembered long after the last bauble was swept up.
