Comedian’s live meltdown is a late contender for ‘TV moment of the year’

A British comedian’s meltdown on live television has left audiences speechless as he ‘destroyed’ the set of a Saturday morning TV institution.

It began unassumingly enough, with a vote on Saturday Kitchen asking viewers to choose between tapas or tirimasu.

The tapas (three different ways), chosen by comedian Ed Gamble, was pit against Off Menu co-host James Acaster’s Panatone Tirimasu.

This was a change from the usual format – which usually asks viewers to choose between their version of food heaven or food hell.

Instead, host Matt Tebbutt had audiences choose between Ed and James’ heavenly picks.

And, as the results came in, hot-tempered James was quick to unleash his frustration on the Saturday kitchen set.

As James learned that he’d lost by a margin of 46%, the outraged comedian unleashed a primal scream of fury.

Climbing from his chair, James flipped the wreath which was resting on the table, before punching the decorative polar bear behind him.

He then attacked the set’s Christmas tree, as Matt and the other guests (including a cackling Ed) broke into fits of laughter.

In the aftermath of James’s tantrum, viewers took to social media to share their shock at the carnage unleashed.

‘James Acaster providing a late entrant to TV moment of the year on Saturday Kitchen,’ wrote cddevereaux on X.

‘If anyone hasn’t seen this please do so. TV moment of the year by far. James Acaster you will always be famous,’ echoed ryanw_film.

PaulBurleyFFS commented: ‘James Acaster’s reaction to tapas on #SaturdayKitchen is the televisual highlight of 2025.’

However, not everyone saw the funny side, with Irisfurnham describing it as ‘atrocious behaviour,’ and deeming the comedian ‘worse than a 2 year old.’

‘Ban James Acaster from being on Saturday Kitchen again,’ wrote anita_sharma. ‘Really uncomfortable viewing.’

Meanwhile, milesarchives13 wondered: ‘Have I manifested into an alternate universe, why are all of the comments acting like he just killed someone’s mum in front of them?’

This isn’t the first food-related meltdown James has suffered on television.

The comedian is perhaps best known for his 2019 appearance on The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up 2 Cancer… and the ensuing breakdown.

James had attempted to make cherry bakewell inspired flapjacks, but instead wound up with what resembled a gooey puddle.

‘Started making it, had a breakdown, bon appetit,’ said James during his now-iconic and oft-memed exchange with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

What separates Bake Off from Saturday Kitchen, however, is that he wasn’t entirely playing his chaotic Stand Up 2 Cancer performance for laughs.

As he revealed in his 2024 standup, Hecklers Welcome, he’d been suffering from a 36-hour jetlag during filming, which led to his disastrous bake.

‘I had a full-on meltdown during one day of Bake Off,’ James told RadioTimes when asked if he’d ever do Strictly.

He continued: ‘From what I understand, Strictly is a bit more stressful than baking for charity.

‘When the contestant goes out in Week 1, you can see their relief because they clearly underestimated how much work it would be. I wouldn’t even get that far. I’d have quit before it was broadcast.’

Saturday Kitchen airs weekly at 10am on BBC One.

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