Ainsley Harriott-Gap Rating 2/10

He is an English celebrity chef and his most well-known role is perhaps that of presenting the quick-fire cookery programme Ready Steady Cook.

At sixteen, he obtained an apprenticeship at an East End restaurant and later worked as a commis chef. However his talents lay in comedy and singing as well as cooking and Harriott formed the Calypso Twins with Paul Boross and released a record in the early 1990s. He also appeared on television for the first time, in a small role in the sci-fi comedy series Red Dwarf in 1993.

A return to cookery came with more substantial roles, first as a chef on Good Morning with Anne and Nick and then as the main presenter of Can't Cook, Won't Cook and Ready, Steady, Cook. These shows involved heavy participation with somewhat reluctant members of the public and were ideal for showcasing Harriott's rash, happy-go-lucky demeanor. However he has also presented more straightforward how-to-cook programmes such as Ainsley's Barbecue Bible, Ainsley's Meals in Minutes, Ainsley's Big Cook Out and Ainsley's Gourmet Express.

In 2000, Ainsley made his debut on U.S. television with The Ainsley Harriott Show on NBC. It lasted for 100 episodes before it was canceled due to low ratings. His famous catchphrase is: "What am I like?!" which he often says upon making a faux pas. Harriott is married to former costume designer, Clare Fellows. They have two children and a dog called Oscar. Clare is the sister of the creator of John Shuttleworth and Jilted John, Graham Fellows.