Saturday Kitchen star addresses absence as they make BBC return

Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt was thrilled to welcome back a much-loved figure on the BBC show.

During the most recent instalment, the presenter wasted no time in addressing the absence of wine expert Olly Smith.

As Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty handed over to Matt during BBC Breakfast to discover what was happening in his show, the 51-year-old turned his attention to his colleague.

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Matt commented: "He's back! Olly Smith, where have you been all my life?!"

Olly replied: "Oh well, all your life! Well, over the last few weeks, I've had a triple threat of writing, going to weddings, and festivals."

The Saturday Kitchen host questioned whether or not the nuptials were fun to attend.

He added: "They were actually to be fair, I was going to be mean, but no, they were really lovely. I mean, who doesn't love to celebrate love?"

Usually, BBC viewers are used to seeing Olly alternate on Saturday Kitchen with fellow wine expert Helen McGinn.

Over the past few weeks, Helen has been holding down the fort, with Olly's last appearance on the show before taking a brief break being June 14.

Currently, there's speculation that Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt could be the new face of MasterChef, following the axing of John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

A source told The Sun: "Matt is seen as a really safe pair of hands by the BBC. He has been in the frame for some time and is now being lined up for MasterChef. The BBC are keen to bring Andi Oliver on board too. She has been so popular as host of the Great British Menu."

They further added: "They're not sure if she can commit at this stage because of her schedule with that show, but everyone is hoping they can get her on board. Everyone loves Andi, and she would be perfect for the role in many ways.

"She is very talented on her own merit, but she would also help bring a more diverse look to the show, which is much needed. The last thing the show wants is to be slapped with being 'pale, and stale' by a new generation of food lovers."

The presenting change comes as former hosts John and Gregg were both axed by the BBC after an investigation upheld allegations about them both in regards to "inappropriate behaviour".

Saturday Kitchen is available to watch weekdays on BBC One from 10am.