Who is Dan Doherty and why is he not judging Britain’s Best Home Cook 2020?
DAN Doherty is the disgraced chef who was infamously fired from BBC's Britain's Best Home Cook following sex pest allegations.
His career has taken quite the fall in the past 12 months, and we've gathered all the important details you need to know about the shamed TV star.
Why was he fired from Britain's Best Home Cook?
In January, the BBC confirmed that Dan Doherty had received the boot from the cooking show following a string of sexual harassment allegations against the 33-year-old.
The Sun had previously reported how he had been banned from his own gastropub for a month in the midst of an investigation concerning claims he had asked a female worker to perform a sex act on him.
In a statement of his own, Dan shared: “In the wake of the recent newspaper reports, I’ve decided to step away from series two of Britain’s Best Home Cook. I loved my experience on the show and wish it every continued success.”
Dan later took to his official Twitter account, writing: “I want to say sorry. There are mistruths in what was published but I have made mistakes, mistakes I truly am sorry for.”
The Royal Oak, located in London's Marylebone, later revealed how the divorced father of one was no longer working there.
An official statement read: “We will not be making any further comment about the reported incidents. Our focus is on the well-being of our team and business.”
The claims made against Dan saw the help of an external human resources firm investigate the alleged incidents.
It was concluded with the allegation that he had encouraged a "culture of harassment at the Royal Oak," with the inquiry allegedly conducting there was misconduct on Dan's part.
Who is Dan Doherty and how did he make his name?
Dan is Chef Director at London's Duck and Waffle restaurant which sits at the top of the Heron Tower.
He opened the restaurant, while in the role of Executive Chef, on the 40th floor of the building in 2012.
Since then he has received a number of awards and accolades, including the title of “Rising Star Chef,” in the 2013 Tatler Restaurant Awards, and in 2014 he was named one of London’s “1000 Most Influential People” in the Tastemaker category by the London Evening Standard.
Born and raised in Shrewsbury, he then began his career at The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts as an apprentice with London’s Michelin-starred 1 Lombard Street, before working as Head Chef at The Old Brewery.
What was he doing on Britain's Best Cook?
Dan was judging contestants on the show alongside Mary Berry and Chris Bavin.
Of the new show, he previously said: “Right now British cuisine is more exciting and diverse than ever - we’re a nation of home cooks with different influences and hidden talents.
"In the competition I’m looking to discover which of our competing cooks has the technical ability and creative skill to deliver inspiring and inventive dishes.
"It’s a pleasure to be judging alongside Mary and Chris, and I can’t wait to taste what our cooks come up with.”
When is Britain's Best Home Cook on BBC One?
Britain's Best Home Cook hasn't got a release date for season two just yet.
But we do know that the show is expected to commence filming on August 31.
So, it's fair to assume that fans can expect BBHC to be back on their TV screens by the end of the year.
Not to be confused with The Big Family Cooking Showdown, this show aims to find "the best of ordinary British cuisine".
Viewers can expect to see “the real-life expertise of truly great home cooks” being tested through brutal challenges.
The show has been devised to "celebrate the food people make for their loved ones every single day”.
Ten contestants will take part in the series and will have to turn out perfect versions of traditional recipes, as well as putting their own twist on them.