Acclaimed chef and head of Le Gavroche restaurant, Michel Roux jr, is to leave the BBC.
In a statement issued by Roux this morning, the chef said that he will not work with the BBC “for the foreseeable future”.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to make” he said.
“I love working with the BBC, and am very proud of how we have built up the popularity and success of these two iconic shows.
“It’s not for lack of trying, but sometimes negotiating with the BBC can be a frustrating process, and there are times when I have wondered if the Corporation understands the realities of today’s commercial world” he added.
“The BBC needs to recognise the value of the talent they work with, and also, that whilst we love to be associated with top quality television, we have other professional commitments that are as important to us as programme-making.”
Roux has been co-presenter on
MasterChef: the Professionals for the past six series.
The Irish Times reports that he is to honour his existing commitment to present a BBC food documentary called
Chocolat.
