Jamie Oliver Says He Was Spat At And Called An ‘A***hole’ Over Turkey Twizzler Ban

Jamie Oliver says he still gets grief for getting the nation's beloved Turkey Twizzlers banned from school dinners all the way back in 2005.

The TV chef launched a campaign to try and encourage schools to introduce more nutritious meals - a part of the campaign involved him urging schools canteens to ditch Turkey Twizzlers because of their low meat content.

PA

And, in 2005, it was announced that they had, indeed, been removed from school menus.

But not everyone was happy with the move at the time with Jamie, 46, saying he was spat at by kids.

Speaking on the 12 Questions podcast Jamie told host Fraser T Smith: "When I was walking around schools as a 28-year-old, I was getting so much abuse. I had so much DNA on my back every day when I got home... it was proper filth."

And, 15 years on, it seems as though some people are still pretty upset about it now, with the chef revealing he was recently branded an a***hole while out and about with his family.

He said: "It's funny, I was in the zoo the other day when they opened up again, with my kids, and you know two metres away they go, 'That's Jamie Oliver over there.'

Bernard Matthews

"And the girl goes, 'Yeah, I don't like him, he's a f****** a*******.' And my kids are right next to

me and hearing it as well, it's a metre and a half away.

"As I walk away, she goes to me, 'Have you tried those new Turkey Twizzlers?' and I went, 'No, I haven't,' and she goes, 'Well, they're horrible!'

"I said, 'You probably wouldn't like the original ones then,' and she goes, 'No I did, and you took them, you stole them away from me!'"

Turkey Twizzlers creator Bernard Matthews discontinued the meaty treats, which contained just 34 percent turkey, but have since re-launched the item, this time with a much higher 67 to 70 percent turkey content.

Bernard Matthews

They arrived back in stores in August last year in two flavours - Original Tangy Tomato and Chilli Cheese.

Bernard Matthews said its new recipe is 'healthier whilst just as tasty as the version many will love and remember', with low levels of saturated fats and calories.

Topics: Food, UK News, Celebrity

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19