London—Billy Porter, the Broadway icon and Pose star, turned heads on April 16 when he let a four-letter word slip during a live broadcast of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. The flamboyant actor, known for his bold style and unapologetic charisma, was mid-recipe, stirring a pot of shrimp gumbo, when the expletive popped out, leaving host Matt Tebbutt and viewers at home stunned.
The incident unfolded as Porter, 55, chatted about his love for Southern cooking. Demonstrating a roux, he got animated, gesturing wildly with a wooden spoon. “You gotta keep stirring, or it’ll burn like—” and out came the f-bomb, sharp and unfiltered. The studio fell silent for a split second. Tebbutt, ever the pro, jumped in with a nervous laugh, steering the conversation to spices. Porter, unfazed, flashed a grin and carried on, but the damage was done.
The BBC issued a statement that afternoon, apologizing for the “inappropriate language” and noting that live TV can be unpredictable. Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, confirmed it received 47 complaints about the episode, a modest number compared to past TV controversies. No fines or sanctions have been announced, and Porter’s team has stayed mum, offering no comment on the gaffe.
Saturday Kitchen, a staple of British weekend TV, isn’t strangers to chaos—think Gordon Ramsay’s rants or that time a chef set a pan on fire—but Porter’s slip was a rare moment for the family-friendly show. The episode, which also featured wine expert Olly Smith and comedian Sarah Millican, was meant to spotlight Porter’s upcoming UK tour. Instead, clips of the swear went viral, racking up thousands of views on official BBC catch-up platforms before being trimmed from replays.
Porter, a Tony and Grammy winner, has built a career on breaking norms, from his gender-bending red-carpet looks to his raw performances. His gumbo demo was meant to charm, not shock, but the unscripted moment showed even a seasoned performer can trip on live air. The BBC has not confirmed if Porter will return to the show. His tour kicks off in Manchester on May 3.