Latest news and gossip from your favourite TV programmes and series

Jamie Oliver explains how he got 'in a pickle'

Jamie Oliver explains how he got 'in a pickle'

Jamie Oliver has blamed his passionate nature for 'getting him in a pickle' over Sainsbury's stance towards his TV show on battery-farmed chickens.

The 32-year-old chef said his 'passion for the subject' led to the reporting of comments seemingly criticising the supermarket giant - with whom he has a £1.2 million-a-year advertising deal - for not participating in a debate.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Jamie also revealed that he suffered sleepness nights over the making of the programme, such was his concern over balance and fairness.

Earlier this week, the chef appeared to backtrack from an outburst in which he appeared to attack Sainsbury's, alongside the other main supermarkets, for not attending a debate on the issue.

He had been quoted in the Daily Mirror saying: "I am really upset. The question is why didn't they come. What is there to hide?"

But it was later claimed that the comments did not fully represent the chef's views.

In Friday's interview with the BBC, Jamie said that clarity had got lost in the hype surrounding the show.

He said: "The passion for the subject got me in a pickle where it was able to go in papers and look like I was criticising Sainsbury's.

"Sainsbury's did do more than their bit and yes I was perturbed that they were not there at the live event purely and only because I knew it would look bad when they had no reason to look bad."

Archive: Read all the previous stories


Subscribe to the What's On TV newsletter

TV Quiz

TV Quiz

Test your knowledge and win great prizes

Play now

Games

Win Prizes

Play fantastic online games like Strike It Lucky and win instant cash prizes!

Play more

Shop

Go Shopping Online

Get the latest fashions, dieting tips, new exercise techniques - and maybe even a new partner!

Find out more

Also in What's On TV

Soaps

Is Corrie The Musical on the cards?

Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly is being tipped to take the lead in a new musical based on the soap, according to the papers.

UK Drama

Channel 4 "shelves" Jonathan Ross deal

Channel 4 has shelved plans to give Jonathan Ross a £10m deal to host his own chat show, according to the papers.

Reality TV

Conflicting reports over Cheryl Cole's marriage

Confusion is growing over the future of Cheryl Cole's marriage to footballer Ashley after conflicting reports appeared in the Sunday papers.

US Series

Glee's Jane to get Madonna makeover in new episode

Jane Lynch can't wait for Glee fans to see her strike a pose in a special Madonna-themed episode.

Star Interviews

Mikey Graham remembers his mate Stephen

TV Times talks to Dancing on Ice star Mikey Graham about this Saturday’s special tribute to late Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately...

Good To Know