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Fans have been left outraged and Simon Rimmer forced to apologise after comedian Jon Richardson, who is a vegan, was fed ghee on Sunday Brunch today.

Chef Asma Khan was on hand to cook a Masoor dhal with ghee fried prawns for guests, however while Jon managed to dodge the prawns he did eat the dhal, which had been mixed with the other ingredients.

With the plate being brought over for the guests of the show to try, Jon was seen standing to the side, evidently not planning to taste the dish that sported prawns.

As some muffled whispers took place around Jon, Simon said: ‘The dhal is vegan, Jon, obviously the prawns aren’t.’




He took a small spoonful and returned to his post behind the counter, so many viewers assumed perhaps Asma used vegan ghee but didn’t make it clear while on air.

However, after returning from the ad break, Simon was forced to apologise after Jon was served a non-vegan ingredient.

MORE: What is ghee made from and why is it not vegan?

Jon had taken a small bite of the meal (Picture: Channel 4)

‘Earlier on in the previous cooking item I may have informed guests that the dhal was in fact vegan. Was of course ghee used in the recipe, which isn’t vegan,’ Simon said. ‘I allowed Jon Richardson, who is indeed a vegan, to eat some of it.’

He continued: ‘On behalf of myself and the Sunday Brunch team I would like to sincerely apologise and hope I haven’t offended you and spoiled your life.’

Jon replied: ‘When I’m sick during my interview, you can take responsibility for that. But it was delicious. And it could be vegan…’

Simon was forced to apologise (Picture: Channel 4)

Still, wife Lucy Beaumont, who appeared on the show alongside Jon, joked about the halloumi burger he ate ‘last week’, to which Jon moved the conversation on amid chuckles.

Lucy joked about Jon eating a halloumi burger (Picture: Channel 4)

Tim Lovejoy said to his co-host: ‘I think you’re alright, I don’t think you’ve been cancelled,’ as Simon added: ‘Thank you social media for reminding me.’

Yes, as always, social media was quick to let Simon know ghee wasn’t vegan, with one wondering why Asma didn’t let him know he was wrong before Jon took a bite.

Viewers wondered why Asma didn’t speak up (Picture: Channel 4)

‘Why didn’t Asma speak up? #Ghee isn’t Vegan!’ one viewer fumed on social media. ‘#SundayBrunch Weak apology too, nothing like taking the p*ss out of Vegans it’s like the Piers Morgan school of mockery. Bravo!’

Another hoped there was a different version served up to the guests: ‘Ghee is NOT Vegan. It’s clarified butter @RonJichardson. Maybe she served a different version to the one she just poured a load of melted butter into! I hope so. #SundayBrunch.’

Another added: ‘Just watched Asma making dal with ghee and Simon telling Jon Richardson that it was vegan. Unless she used vegan ghee and

I didn’t hear that bit.’



Sunday Brunch viewers weren’t too happy, as they reacted before Simon’s apology:

@simonrim @SundayBrunchC4 Iâm really offended by the âjokingâ apology and the laughing in the background. It would literally make me sick. You own a vegan/vegetarian restaurant! #sundaybrunch #vegan — evasarawelch (@evasarawelch1) March 8, 2020

Doesnât Simon own a vegan restaurant? I wouldnât eat there if he doesnât know gee is not vegan ??? #SundayBrunch — Ray (@lliswerryguy) March 8, 2020

Nope, ghee is not vegan. And neither is Jon Richardson now #SundayBrunch — Graceless (@MissGraceless) March 8, 2020

#SundayBrunch ghee is not vegan, so John should not have had the Dahl…. — Sunflower Lodge Bridlington (@Sunflowerbrid) March 8, 2020

Pretty sure the dhal that vegan Jon Richardson was eating wasnt vegan!?! #SundayBrunch — GKN!C (@gknic) March 8, 2020

#SundayBrunch @SundayBrunchC4 just watched Asma making dal with ghee and Simon telling Jon Richardson that it was vegan. Unless she used vegan ghee and I didnât hear that bit. — Anjna Patel-Holtham (@smallkitch) March 8, 2020

The dahl is NOT vegan – it has ghee in it. You could swap to oil to make it vegan, but she used ghee!!! #SundayBrunch — Rachael Patel (@fernardsmum) March 8, 2020

I feel like cookery shows should be two of the same dish. One vegan and the other non-vegan #SundayBrunch — Jð¬ð§ð³ð¬ð¦â¤ (@MissLionHeart) March 8, 2020

Sunday Brunch returns 9.30am Sunday on Channel 4.

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