Saturday Kitchen Star Ben Miller Apologizes After Schedule Shake-Up Causes Chaos

Ben Miller was left red-faced after arriving late to his guest appearance on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen—and had plenty of excuses to share!

Ben Miller’s Late Arrival Sparks On-Air Banter

BBC’s Saturday Kitchen saw an unexpected hiccup this morning (March 15) when special guest Ben Miller turned up two minutes late, prompting a wave of playful teasing from host Matt Tebbutt and fellow guests.

The popular cooking show kicked off at an earlier-than-usual 9:30 AM, catching Miller off guard. As he strolled into the studio slightly disheveled, he was met with good-natured ribbing from the Saturday Kitchen team.

Tebbutt, attempting to introduce the actor and author, quipped that while Miller’s talents were vast, "setting his alarm clock" might not be one of them.

Ben Miller’s Hilarious Excuses for Running Late

Never one to miss a comedic moment, Miller quickly jumped in with a series of lighthearted excuses.

"I have excuses if you want to hear them," he announced, before jokingly admitting, "I had too many very strong tonic waters."

Sommelier Ollie Smith playfully fired back, "Was it a lovely sleep?" to which Miller confirmed, "It was wonderful."

However, Miller soon clarified the real reason behind his tardiness:

🚨 Jet lag
⏰ Alarm clock failure
📖 “The dog ate my homework” (and maybe a peacock too, according to Smith!)

With a warm laugh, Miller finally addressed the viewers, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

BBC’s Schedule Change Catches Fans Off Guard

The minor chaos stemmed from a schedule shift, which saw Saturday Kitchen start earlier than usual to accommodate Football Focus and the Women’s League Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Viewers tuning in may have been just as surprised as Miller, as the show traditionally airs at 10 AM.

Fans React to Ben Miller’s Mishap

Social media lit up with amused reactions to Miller’s unexpected slip-up. Many praised the show's relaxed and fun atmosphere, with some admitting they, too, had nearly missed the early start time.

💬 "Ben Miller is all of us on a Saturday morning. Relatable king!"
💬 "Tonic water jet lag is a new one! 😂"
💬 "Honestly thought I’d missed Saturday Kitchen—glad to see Ben Miller nearly did too!"

Conclusion

Despite the minor mix-up, Miller’s appearance on Saturday Kitchen was a hit, with his signature humor keeping the mood light. As he sipped on his much-needed coffee, all was forgiven, and the show went on smoothly.

If you missed the fun, you can catch Saturday Kitchen every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer—just don’t forget to set your alarm!

FAQs

🔹 Why was Ben Miller late to Saturday Kitchen?
He blamed jet lag and an alarm clock mishap, though he also joked about having one too many "strong tonic waters."

🔹 What time does Saturday Kitchen air?
The show typically airs at 10 AM on Saturdays, but this week it started at 9:30 AM due to a schedule change.

🔹 Where can I watch Saturday Kitchen?
You can catch it live on BBC One or stream it later on BBC iPlayer.