Matt Tebbutt apologises after awkward blunder with Paul McCartney's daughter on BBC Saturday Kitchen

Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt was forced to issue an apology after an awkward blunder with a vegetarian guest on the show

Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt was quick to offer his apologies following an uncomfortable moment with a vegetarian guest on the show's latest episode, aired on October 5.

The Saturday morning programme saw Matt joined by culinary maestro Theo Randall, star actress Michelle Keegan, and Mary McCartney, who is not only known for her vegetarian cookbooks but also as the daughter of Beatles icon Paul McCartney. Wine connoisseur Olly Smith was also present to expertly match wines with the dishes being prepared.

The faux pas occurred shortly after the show began, while Matt and Theo were busy preparing a mussel and tagliatelle dish in the studio kitchen.

In a conversation about the adaptability of mussels, Matt inadvertently put Mary McCartney on the spot about her views on the shellfish, seemingly forgetting her vegetarian diet that excludes meat and fish, reports the Express.

"Mary, where do you stand on a mussel? " he enquired, to which she responded with a hint of discomfort, "I don't eat them..." before Matt quickly realised his mistake, adding: "Being a vegetarian."

"I don't eat them," Mary repeated. She elaborated on past discussions about whether mussels feel pain due to their lack of a brain or nervous system, saying, "We have had debates in the past of the fact they don't have a brain or a nervous system, I don't think."

An awkward "Right," was all Matt could muster as he carried on cooking, with Mary reasserting, "I don't eat them."

Matt expressed his regret over the mix-up, simply saying "Sorry" and went back to his chopping duties. Mary then deftly redirected the question towards him, asking with a friendly smile, "How do you feel about them?".

Matt enthusiastically replied that he was quite fond of mussels.

Viewers were quick to pick up on the exchange. On X, previously known as Twitter, a viewer quipped: "How'd the show go today, Matt? 'Well, I asked Mary McCartney if she liked mussels or not; that went well'."

While Mary is a photographer by profession, the 55-year-old has authored multiple cookbooks and is a high-profile vegetarian. She co-founded the global vegetarian movement, Meat Free Monday, with her father and sister, while her mother, Linda McCartney, created one of the world's first meat-free brands with Linda McCartney Food back in 1991.

Saturday Kitchen airs on BBC One on Saturdays from 10am