Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer was notably absent from today’s programme, having been ‘replaced’ by a guest chef.
Channel 4’s talk show featured Ella Maisy Purvis, Gwilym Lee, Lou Sanders, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Dr Rangan Chatterjee, with Franz Ferdinand providing live music.
However, within the first minute of the broadcast, Tim Lovejoy found himself hosting alone, with co-host and chef Simon Rimmer missing.
The 56-year-old greeted the audience for the show at the new timeslot of 10am and explained that his pal Simon Rimmer couldn’t make it due to illness.
James Golding stepped in for Simon Rimmer on Sunday Brunch as Tim Lovejoy confirmed Simon Rimmer was unwell
(Image: Channel 4)
The Express reports Tim announced: “Sadly, Simon Rimmer is a bit ill today. He’s got a bit of a dodgy tummy.”,
The presenter went on to joke while making a drinking gesture: “So he says, I mean, he saw him out last night, you know, last night.”
The TV chef was replaced by tattooed chef James Golding, who has previously stepped in for Simon on the Channel 4 show. The chef was on hand to cook Simon’s Squash Salad as well as his own dish.
Boasting an impressive resume, James Golding has graced kitchens at The Savoy Hotel, Le Caprice, The Ivy and J Sheekey and is no novice when it comes to TV stints.
Simon Rimmer was replaced by tattooed chef James Golding, who has previously stepped in for Simon on the Channel 4 show Sunday Brunch
(Image: Channel 4)
James has also served up delicious dishes as head chef at Harbour Heights in Sandbanks and The Pig Hotel in the lush backdrops of Dorset.
Fans at home wished Simon the best and hoped he would get well soon. One said: “Aww get well soon Simon” as another wrote: “Hope Simon is well enough to watch the football today”
Other viewers joked: “Where’s Simon? Is there no fill-in presenter?” while another shared: “Simon Rimmer pulled a sticky!”
Simon Rimmer’s absence from Sunday Brunch comes as it was announced Simon Rimmer will present his own radio show on Global’s Gold Radio.
Channel 4’s talk show featured Ella Maisy Purvis, Gwilym Lee, Lou Sanders, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Dr Rangan Chatterjee, with Franz Ferdinand providing live music.
(Image: Channel 4)
Working alongside his Sunday Brunch role, Simon will serve up a fresh weekend show packed with classic golden oldies from the 1960s through the 1980s on Saturdays from 8am to 12pm.
The chef-turned-presenter said: “To host my own radio show is a dream come true, and to do it on Gold Radio is the icing on the cake.”
Sunday Brunch airs weekly at 10pm on Channel 4.