Michel Roux junior to leave the BBC

Michel Roux junior has severed his ties with the BBC. In a statement issued this morning, he announced that he will not work with the BBC “for the foreseeable future”.

The chef, who is at the helm of the family business, Le Gavroche, said: “This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to make. I love working with the BBC, and am very proud of how we have built up the popularity and success of these two iconic shows.

“It’s not for lack of trying, but sometimes negotiating with the BBC can be a frustrating process, and there are times when I have wondered if the Corporation understands the realities of today’s commercial world.

“The BBC needs to recognise the value of the talent they work with, and also, that whilst we love to be associated with top quality television, we have other professional commitments that are as important to us as programme-making.”

Roux has been co-presenter on MasterChef the Professionals for the past six series, and has worked on the last two series of Food & Drink . He will honour his existing commitment to present a new BBC4 documentary Chocolat , which begins filming in a few weeks.