Saturday Kitchen was thrown into chaos when Ben Miller missed the start of the show after failing to wake up on time.

The 59-year-old actor was absent from the live broadcast, leaving host Matt Tebʙuтт, 51, to carry on without him during the opening segment.

This mishap occurred following a major shift in the BBC schedule, with BBC Breakfast wrapping up earlier than usual and Saturday Kitchen now kicking off at 9:30 am instead of 10 am.

The 30-minute change proved to be key for Ben, as his late arrival quickly became the topic of the show.

Matt joked how the Death In Paradise actor could ‘turn his hand to anything – except setting his alarm clock.’

He then added: ‘Ben Miller is on the way I promise. He’s joining us live any minute now.’

Saturday Kitchen was thrown into chaos when Ben Miller missed the start of the show after failing to wake up on time

The 59-year-old actor was absent from the live broadcast, leaving host Matt Tebʙuтт, 51, to carry on without him during the opening segment

Two minutes into the episode, the actor then rushed onto set and gave Matt a big hug.

Happy with Ben’s arrival, Matt joked: ‘Good Lord! Thank you for joining us.’

Ben flashed a smile before covering his face with his hand and said: ‘Awkward, awkward!’

Matt then quipped: ‘I bet you haven’t done that walk of shame for a while!’ to which he replied: ‘I have excuses if you want to hear them.’

He continued: ‘I had too many very strong tonic waters last night … no no, honestly, I don’t drink.

‘That’s not the reason. I have jet lag … like I said I have as many excuses as you like.’

He then added: ‘The alarm didn’t go off.’

Ben then shared that his food heaven was Middle Eastern cuisine, while his food hell was kimchi.

Two minutes into the episode, the actor then rushed onto set and gave Matt a big hug

Happy with Ben’s arrival, Matt joked: ‘Good Lord! Thank you for joining us’

Ben then shared that his food heaven was Middle Eastern cuisine, while his food hell was kimchi

It comes after BBC Breakfast was cut short on Saturday as part of a major scheduling shake-up.

The programme, which typically runs until 10am, wrapped at 9:30am, triggering knock-on effects for the weekend TV staple Saturday Kitchen.

Viewers tuned in to the daily show at the usual 6am time slot to see Charlie Stayt, 62, hosting alongside Sarah Campbell, 50.

However, after a packed show, BBC Breakfast wrapped up half an hour early.

As the clock struck 9:30am, Sarah told viewers: ‘That’s all from Breakfast for today. As we have just said, we will be back for all the news from tomorrow at 6am.’

Charlie added: ‘Enjoy whatever you’re doing for the weekend. Goodbye now.’

This meant Saturday Kitchen kicked off at 9:30am instead of 10am, running until 11am.

Afterward, Football Focus took over before a 10-minute news segment at 11:30am, followed by live coverage of the Women’s League Cup Final at 11:45am.

It comes after BBC Breakfast was cut short on Saturday as part of a major scheduling shake-up

The programme, which typically runs until 10am, wrapped at 9:30am, triggering knock-on effects for the weekend TV staple Saturday Kitchen (Matt Tebʙuтт pictured)

The clash will see Chelsea’s women’s team take on their Manchester City counterparts.

During the BBC Breakfast on Saturday, the presenters welcomed Sergio Aguiar, the father of murdered Southport schoolgirl Alice Da Silva Aguiar, who shared his story of marathon training and fundraising in memory of his daughter.

Read More BBC Breakfast undergoes major shake-up as show finishes early with Saturday Kitchen also shifting

Alice, nine, was one of three young girls tragically killed in a brutal attack at a Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop in Merseyside on July 29.

She died on July 30, a day after the attack, which also claimed the lives of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six.

Meanwhile the scheduling change came just days after fan-favourite host Nina Warhurst, 44, announced she would be stepping down from her role as BBC Breakfast’s resident business reporter at the end of the month.

Nina, who joined in 2018, revealed on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Hanging up the high-viz & hairnet as I join the BBC’s News at One.’

She added: ‘Our London team built a gem of a programme & it’s a privilege to be on the Salford team taking it forward.’

‘The teenage me who lived half a mile from here & dreamed of journalism would NOT believe it.’

Richard’s tweet read: ‘Delighted to welcome Nina Warhurst as a regular presenter of the News at One from April.

‘Congratulations – a brilliant addition to the team in Salford.’