Simon Rimmer was noticeably absent from the latest live episode of Sunday Brunch on February 23, leaving co-host Tim Lovejoy to inform viewers of his colleague's illness.
Tim opened the episode with the announcement, saying: "There's no Simon Rimmer this morning because he's ill but don't worry Angela Hartnett is going to cook instead. What a replacement." Despite Rimmer's absence, the show continued with guests Gabrielle, Jordan Gray, Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman, Philippa Dunne, and Daniel Mays, all joining Lovejoy for the morning broadcast.
Simon, who has been an integral part of Sunday Brunch since it launched back in 2012, has formed a strong partnership with Tim over the years, making his absence felt among the show's regular viewers. This development follows another notable incident earlier this month when Lovejoy was forced to issue an apology live on air due to an unexpected blunder.
During one of the February broadcasts, American actor Billy Porter accidentally let slip an expletive during discussions about which panel member previously worked as a sofa salesman. Attempting to mislead his fellow guests, Billy faked having furniture sales experience but was called out by Simon Rimmer. The moment took a sharp turn when Billy exclaimed, "Oh s***," catching everyone off guard.
Tim reacted quickly to the surprise situation, reassuring viewers: "Apologies for any bad language..." This slip-up didn’t go unnoticed, as home viewers immediately took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their reactions.
One fan expressed their approval of Billy's candidness, saying: "Looking amazing and cursing like a trooper on live TV. Billy Porter is a star! #SundayBrunch." Others chimed in with humor, as one viewer quipped: "It's ok no one is offended....as no one is watching! #sundaybrunch." A different viewer added to the chatter by asking, "Anyone else notice Billy swearing?"
On the horizon for Simon Rimmer, there is exciting news as he embarks on new broadcasting ventures. He has been announced as part of Global's Gold Radio lineup set for 2025, where he will host a new show featuring classic hits from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s every Saturday morning from 8am to 12pm. He will maintain his role on Sunday Brunch, ensuring he continues to be part of the much-loved show.
Sunday Brunch airs weekly on Channel 4 at 10am, inviting viewers to tune in for its mix of cooking, celebrity guests, and occasionally unexpected moments like the one sparked by Billy Porter. While Simon's absence was noticeable this time, his contributions and new ventures promise to keep fans engaged with his work for years to come.