Chefs we love to hate: Ainsley Harriott

There was a brief time - for about 15 years - when you couldn't turn the TV on without seeing Ainsley Harriott and his happy-go-lucky head. So that's why he's this week's celebrity chef we love to hate.

If there’s one man you’ll never find out of work it’s the celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott. He’s always working away on something, be it a new TV series or a new book. However, that’s where our grievances with Ainsley start, because while he might be working on a new project he’s not necessarily doing it in the kitchen.

When you type Ainsley Harriott into Google you’ll quickly find that he’s better known as a "celebrity chef". However, he’s been in much more than just Ready, Steady, Cook! and a resident chef on Good Morning with Anne and Nick.

Ainsley actually began his career as a trainee chef in the West End while also doing a bit of comedy on the side in the form of a musical comedy duo called, ‘The Calypso Twins’. You can check out their hit tune ‘World Party’ below… but be warned, it includes some very questionable blazers.

Surprisingly enough, Ainsley’s first TV appearance was actually on the British Sci-Fi comedy Red Dwarf and not on a daytime cooking show. The fact that Ainsley got his name from his entertainment roles might explain his happy-go-lucky attitude and his lack of any convincing judgments on Ready, Steady, Cook! Well, we suppose it would someone like Gordon Ramsey would truly speak his mind, but Ainsley just seemed too nice for the role.

Okay, so ‘hate’ is probably a strong word, but we certainly enjoy turning the telly off whenever Ainsley’s massive grin comes on, but like we already said, chances are you’ll find him over on another channel.

Take the hassle out of being the chef tonight - remember - Don't Cook, JUST EAT