Marcus Wareing has reportedly quit Gordon Ramsay's upcoming BBC Two cooking show just weeks before filming was due to begin in September, causing production to be halted, according to The Sun.
The 56-year-old chef, known for his role as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals, told producers last week he no longer wanted to participate, a source told the publication. The show was intended to mark a reconciliation between Wareing and Ramsay, 59, who had a public falling out in 2008 over the lease of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Pétrus at The Berkeley hotel.
Production halted after Wareing's sudden exit
A source told The Sun: “Sadly, the format has already fallen apart. Last week, Marcus told the producers he didn’t want to do it anymore, leading to the show being halted.” The source added: “It’s a shame as there was so much excitement about the reunion. It all feels pretty final, but the BBC could try to rescue it in another way. They liked the concept and the talent involved.”
The reason for Wareing's departure remains unclear, but an insider claimed he did not have a falling out with Ramsay. The BBC, Ramsay, and Wareing have been contacted for comment, according to Metro.
Planned reunion follows years of tension
Wareing had previously expressed enthusiasm for the project, which was set to explore “extraordinary human stories.” He 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. I’m really looking forward to unwrapping the memories from our cooks and taking them on a journey down memory lane.”
The pair's relationship has been strained for over a decade. Wareing joined Ramsay in 1993 as his chief lieutenant at the launch of Ramsay's Aubergine restaurant in London, later becoming head chef at Pétrus. In 2008, the lease for Pétrus came up for renewal, and Maybourne Hotel Group offered it directly to Wareing rather than Ramsay's holding company. Ramsay's company hired lawyers to contest the move, but Wareing ultimately secured the lease. Wareing then gave a tell-all interview with aggressive remarks about Ramsay, later admitting he picked the fight to step out of Ramsay's shadow.
Feud timeline and recent reconciliation
From 2009 to 2021, the pair barely spoke, apart from a chance encounter at 10 Downing Street during the 2012 London Olympics. In 2023, Wareing claimed the feud was “the best thing that ever happened to both of us.” He had previously told Weekend Magazine in 2011: “Gordon verbally kicked the s*** out of you. Then he would buy you a beer. He put me through mental torture. I’d be first in in the morning, and I’d lock up at night. All day, there’d be Gordon being Gordon. It’s a wonder we all survived.”
In 2023–2026, Wareing began describing their rift as “water under the bridge” and praised Ramsay for his foundational role in his career. In 2026, the pair officially reconciled and announced the collaborative BBC Two project. Wareing has been a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals since 2014, marking his 12th year on the show.
The abrupt halt leaves the future of the project uncertain, though the BBC may attempt to revive it in a different format, according to the source.
