SATURDAY Kitchen fans were stunned as regular host Matt Tebbutt went “missing” on today’s episode.
Instead, wine guru Olly Smith stood in to host – and surprised BBC viewers by whipping up a snack to supplement his sommelier skills.
Saturday Kitchen regulars flooded Twitter with comments praising Olly while being concerned about chef Matt’s absence.
One bluntly wrote: “Erm. Where’s Matt? #SaturdayKitchen,” as another posted: “Ollie is perfectly fine but where the heck is
@matt_tebbutt!?
“He’s the highlight of our Saturday mornings! #SaturdayKitchen.”
Another added: “You’re a natural @jollyolly Loving you presenting. Watch out @matt_tebbutt 
#SATURDAYKITCHEN.”
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A fan then posted: “Great to see @jollyolly on #SaturdayKitchen for my money one of the greatest Tv presenters of the age. And if anything ghastly should happen to Matt, there’s a no brains replacement standing by. Olly is a LEGEND!”
A food fan then surmised: “@jollyolly you’re the most wonderful and natural front man in the absence of @matt_tebbutt.”
Saturday Kitchen bosses had forewarned of the change on their social media, telling fans: “TOMORROW our very own @jollyolly
is taking the reins with dinner party guests @PaulAinsw6rth, #RavneetGill, @paul_a_young @knackeredmutha and @EdGambleComedy and YOU’RE invited too!
.”
Back in January, show anchor Matt was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.
He revealed he was on a morphine drip ahead of having his infected appendix removed.
Five years ago, Matt replaced James Martin as the host of Saturday Kitchen.
Charismatic Yorkshireman James, 49, was a firm favourite with housewives during his 10 years on the show, and had enough banter to keep husbands entertained too.
Ratings more than doubled to 2.5million when James took over from previous host Anthony Worrall Thomspon in 2006 – and some questioned whether the BBC programme would survive without him.
But Matt has proven more than up to the challenge, developing his own devoted fan base.
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He’s been praised for his natural ease in front of the camera while cooking, chatting to celebrity guests and serving up their idea of food heaven and food hell.
In an exclusive interview with The Celeb Report last month, Matt revealed two of his all-time favourite Saturday Kitchen guests are Gary Barlow and comedian Tom Allen.
