Marcus Wareing reveals Gordon Ramsay’s ‘priceless’ reaction when he quit their TV show this year

| TV Editor Published October 26, 2026 1:03pm Updated October 26, 2026 1:03pm ‘It just didn’t feel right for me,’ the MasterChef star said (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Studio Ramsay) Marcus Wareing has addressed what happened behind the scenes of his TV show with Gordon Ramsay after he pulled out of the programme before filming began. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the two celebrity chefs had ended their highly publicised ‘feud’ after 16 years, having originally clashed in 2008 over a business dispute. It was announced that they were going to work on a new series together for BBC Two, and both of them expressed their excitement over working together in the kitchen once again. However, just a couple of months later, it was reported that Marcus, 56, had quit the project, informing bosses that he no longer wanted to take part. An insider stressed at the time that he hadn’t fallen out with Gordon, 59. Now, the MasterChef: The Professionals judge has shed further light on what really transpired, telling The Times that going ahead with it ‘didn’t feel right’. When he was initially asked about what happened, he told the publication: ‘I’m going to go “no comment” on that one.’ Nonetheless, he then opened up about his feelings and how Gordon reacted to his decision to step down. Marcus has been a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals since 2014 (Picture: BBC/Shine TV) ‘Maybe it just didn’t feel right for me. Am I the right candidate to present this show? I felt, personally, when I looked in the mirror that I wasn’t,’ he shared. ‘It was hard to send a message to Gordon and say, “Look, I just don’t feel comfortable.” And he was brilliant. He was like, “Marcus, seriously, mate, do not worry.” His reaction was priceless for me. ‘It reminded me of the olden days when you’d reach out and think, “Am I going to really f***ing p*** Gordon off again?” I really didn’t want to go down that road again and I felt really s***. But I didn’t feel I could do it justice and I think, in our older age now, it’s good to be honest.’ Gordon and Marcus, pictured in October 2025, have reforged their friendship (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Studio Ramsay) When the news of Marcus and Gordon’s collaboration was first confirmed, the former told The Sun: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside Gordon again. ‘It’s been many years since we last shared a kitchen, and I can’t wait to get started. Deals of the Day See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that The skincare formula that finally took the guesswork out of my routine Families can save up to 20% on summer 2027 holidays in Club Med's four-day sale Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in ‘I’m really looking forward to unwrapping the memories from our cooks and taking them on a journey down memory lane.’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.