Michel Roux Jr has quit the BBC after being banned from appearing in potato adverts.
The 53-year-old chef - who has appeared on 'MasterChef: The Professionals' for the past six years and also worked on the channel's 'Food & Drink' series - revealed yesterday that he had quit the channel after they refused to allow him to keep a number of commercial interests, including his role as ambassador for Albert Bartlett's Rooster potatoes.
BBC sources have now revealed that Michel was told he wasn't allowed to appear in adverts for the potatoes, adding that 'Match of the Day' presenter Gary Lineker's £1.5 million deal with Walkers crisps is irrelevant because there's no potential conflict of interest.
A source explained to The Sun newspaper: "When Gary is on Match of the Day he isn't likely to be talking about crisps whereas Roux talks about recipes and food.
"If you are going to be on the BBC as an expert in your field, you can't have commercial affiliations.
"It's a shame that Rooster potatoes seem to be more important to him that MasterChef but that is the choice he has made."
Michel - who has two Michelin stars - said the decision to leave his long-standing role as a judge on the BBC One cooking programme wasn't easy but claimed he couldn't continue to try and negotiate with "frustrating" BBC bosses.
In a statement he said: "This hasn't been an easy decision for me to make ... It's not for lack of trying, but sometimes negotiating with the BBC can be a frustrating process."

Naomi Campbell wants to have a baby.
The 43-year-old supermodel - who split from longterm boyfriend Vladimir Doronin last year - would love to have a family and insists she doesn't need a partner to raise a child.
Speaking to Diane von Furstenberg during a SiriusXM Radio Town Hall show in New York yesterday (11.03.14), she said: "I do want to have children, whether I have a man or not. I will have it on my own."
The 'Face' star has long been a campaigner for ethnic diversity in the modelling industry, and though she believes there has been "progress", she worries the use of non-white models could just be a "trend".
She said: "We are definitely making progress on the ad campaigns. We do not want it to be a trend, we want it to be consistent... I also don't want to see them put us in a line in the show, like we're an act together, and it's done... That's also not very creative."
And the British beauty also insisted the fashion industry is not responsible for models suffering from eating disorders, arguing people need to be "responsible" for their own actions.
She said: "You cannot blame our industry for the body type of women. The food issue is a really sensitive subject for me, and it makes me nervous to really talk about it because I've never seen a designer in my whole 28 years say to someone, 'Go on a diet, lose weight.' 
"You have to be responsible for your own actions. So if you decide you don't want to eat because you feel like you have to be like this, that's all up to you."

Harry Styles is having helicopter flying lessons.
The One Direction hunk has enrolled on a flying course in Orange County, California, and is hoping to become a qualified pilot before the end of the year.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "He can't think of anything cooler than being a helicopter pilot, so booked himself a block of lessons through a company just outside of Los Angeles.
"With hard work and persistence, he reckons he can be qualified by the end of the year."
The 20-year-old singer is known for his womanising ways - having previously romanced TV presenter Caroline Flack and pop princess Taylor Swift as well as his most recent girlfriend, reality star-turned-model Kendall Jenner - and is said to be hopeful his new hobby might score him points with the ladies.
An insider added: "The famous girls Harry tends to date aren't impressed with flash cars any more, so he wants to have something that will make their jaws drop.
"Ultimately he wants a helicopter on standby, so he can just jump in and fly himself - and his date - anywhere he wants. That's something that would surely excite any girl."
Harry is reported to have distanced himself from his bandmates Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik in recent months because he has been spending so much time in the US.

Zayn Malik wants to create his own comic book.
The One Direction star recently visited Marvel Studios Headquarters in California to ask illustrators for advice on drawing his own characters and they have kept in touch with him to give him tips.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "If Zayn's not in the studio he's doodling on his notepad.
"He doesn't think his drawings are much to rave about, he says he's the worst artist in his family. But he still dreams of releasing a novel and is over the moon that Marvel artists are keeping in touch via email."
The 'Midnight Memories' hitmaker has a cartoon-inspired tattoo of his fiance, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, among a number of inkings, and Perrie also bought him an Incredible Hulk themed cake in celebration of his 21st birthday in January.
Meanwhile, Zayn's "boyish expression" has inspired a new look for crime-fighter Ghost Rider, and the illustrations of the supernatural stunt-motorcyclist are a spitting image of the comic book fan.
Ghost Rider - also known as Robbie Reyes - displays chiselled cheekbones, an angry scowl and Zayn's signature blonde-streaked hairstyle.
Editor Mark Paniccia told Illustrator and creator, Felipe Smith: "The guy from One Direction's name is Zayn Malik. I was picturing Robbie as a beefier version of him. Physically strong with a quiet, troubled, expression ... kind of boyish."

Rihanna and Drake got hot and steamy at a London nightclub on Monday (10.03.14).
The pair, who are rumoured to have rekindled their on/off romance, were spotted at circus-themed night spot Cirque Le Soir, where the care-free couple kissed in full view of fellow patrons and seemed unconcerned about their public displays of affection.
A source said: "There's definitely no question about their romance anymore. Rihanna and Drake spent the whole night with their tongues down each other's throats and didn't seem to care about everybody seeing."
The rumoured couple - who arrived together but left separately - were treated to a sneak preview of Cirque Le Soir's latest acts as part of its new $800,000 Frat Party installation, which included a frightening clown sitting in a bathtub filled with baked beans, contortionist cheerleaders and cross-dressing prom queens.
Rihanna, 26, has been travelling with Drake, 27, across Europe in recent weeks while the 'Started from the Bottom' rapper performs in various cities on his latest tour.
The 'Take Care' collaborators enjoyed dinner together at London's exclusive Nobu restaurant on Saturday (08.03.14), arriving "hand in hand" before joining a group of friends.
Rihanna previously enjoyed a date with Drake in Amsterdam last week, and the pair visited Paris nightclub Soixante Dix Neuf last month.

Disclosure have been approached by "so many names" requesting collaborations.
The electronic music duo - who are brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence - shot to fame last year with singles including 'Latch' and 'White Noise', and they claim that since then they've been inundated with requests from music legends who want to work with them.
Howard said: "We have been approached by so many names it would be stupid to turn them all down.
"There will be some big names, we can't announce them yet but we are incredibly excited about it."
Howard, 19, and Guy, 22, were shocked when Queen of R'n'B Mary J. Blige got in touch with them to say she'd heard their track 'F For You' and wanted to cover it, but were left even more surprised when she explained she wanted to work with them to re-record it.
Howard told the Daily Star newspaper: "Mary approached us which still amazes me. She emailed to say she loved F For You and wanted to cover it.
"So we were like, 'Ok fine, do your thing.' But what she meant was she wanted to add parts to the original song and turn it into a duet between me and her.
"She sent back hundreds of vocal parts and then came on stage with us as at a show in New York. I've never seen a crowd react like that - it was ridiculous."
Disclosure's new version of F For You is out now.

Kara Tointon won't appear in another soap.
The 30-year-old actress was portrayed Dawn Swann on 'EastEnders' for four years until 2009 and though she loved being part of a "team", she wouldn't want to commit to another long-running drama because she enjoys having variety in her career.
Asked if she would star in another soap, she said: "I think I did it at a time when I'd been acting from a young age and that came along and I quite fancied being part of a team for a while, because in this industry you just get warmed up and into something and then it ends.
"I knew it would be tough coming out so I really had to think about it but I did it and I loved it and it was four years, which seems like a lifetime ago and now I enjoy doing lots of bits and bobs, which is what I went into it for."
Kara also admitted she had "scary" encounters with fans who often got her confused with her soap alter ego.
In an interview with BBC Radio One, she recalled: "I always remember a really significant moment when I was in Ikea and a woman had a go at me because I was having an affair on the show. I thought she was joking but she wasn't, it was scary. So I ran."

Joey Essex is a fan of "deep" American TV shows - like 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'.
The former 'The Only Way is Essex' star loves watching US TV and is particularly fond of the E! reality show, which follows Kim Kardashian and her famous family.
He told Radio Times magazine: "I like watching American things.
"They're very deep.
"I've seen 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' and if Kendall Jenner asked me to turn up for a bit, I wouldn't say no."
The tanned 23-year-old star also admits he would love to follow himself on Twitter and is enjoying fame after becoming a household name on 'TOWIE'.
He enthused: "I've gotten used to being famous now but when I was 18, 19, it was easy. I love watching myself back on 'The Only Way is Essex'. If I could follow myself on Twitter, I would."
The reality star also reveals he was starstruck by 'This Morning' presenter Phillip Schofield, who narrates his new reality show, 'Educating Joey Essex'.
He added: "I've never met anyone that famous. Actually, when I met Phillip Schofield I was starstruck. I used to watch him as a child. He's really cool."

Professor Green has been charged with drink-driving following an incident last year.
The 'Remedy' hitmaker - whose real name is Stephen Manderson- was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and later rearrested for allegedly perverting the court of justice in November last year, but police have decided to drop the latter meaning he was charged only with drink-driving when he appeared at a south-east London police station yesterday (11.03.14).
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Stephen Manderson, aged 30, of Tyrwhitt Road, has this evening been charged with drink-driving following an incident on November 3 in Tyrwhitt Road.
"He will appear on bail at Bromley Magistrates Court on March 20."
The incident last year occurred when officers were attending reports that a man had been robbed on the street in Lewisham, but when they arrived they found that a Mercedes - belonging to the rapper - had been involved in a crash with a van and subsequently arrested him, although there were no reports of any injuries.
The 30-year-old musician - who is married to former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh - was bailed at the time and told to return to the police station yesterday (11.03.14) to receive his charge.

Ariel Winter has reportedly claimed that she'll never have a relationship with her mother or older brother again.
The 'Modern Family' star - who plays Alex Dunphy in the series - was placed under the temporary guardianship of her older sister Shanelle Grey in 2012 after claiming her mother, Chrisoula Workman, was physically and mentally abusing her.
The 16-year-old actress' older brother, Jimmy Workman, is said to have chosen to side with their mother and she's told him that she will never forgive either of them, according to TMZ.com.
In a text message, which was reportedly obtained by the gossip site after being filed in Ariel's guardianship case, she said: "How dare you say you miss me ... if you really wanted to see anyone and cared, you'd do a 180.
"I'm sorry, what we've been through can't be fixed..."
Chrisoula is said to have filed the document in a bid to prove that her daughter is suffering from Parental Alienation Syndrome and that their family is being torn apart by the guardianship case.
The actress' mother was ordered by a judge to pay her father, Glen Workman, $4,000 last month, as he is in charge of his daughter's finances.
Since moving in with her sister Ariel claims she is much happier.
She said previously: "My life is definitely more normal - and that'll help me grow up like I'm supposed to."

Paloma Faith admits she had no confidence when she first started performing.
The 'Can't Rely On You' singer tried singing when she was 14 but gave up on the idea of a career in music because she didn't believe in herself.
She said: "I just didn't have the confidence or think I was very good. I then started again when I was 21.
"I was working in a bar, and I got roped into being the frontwoman of the band of someone worked with. I did it for a laugh, just a bit of fun, rather than with any serious aspirations to make a career out of it."
The 32-year-old star was later persuaded by friends to start writing her own songs and claims her career just "escalated from there".
She revealed she was inspired by artists who are "brave and ballsy", like Grace Jones, Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, Bjork and PJ Harvey.
She explained: "[I looked up to] exciting female artists that have always thought outside the box and not just done what everyone else was doing."
The star, who releases her new album 'A Perfect Contradiction' on March 10, is also working with Samsung's Launching People campaign to discover new talent and insists she already has experience in nurturing artists, having helped the likes of 'Skyfall' singer Adele when she was starting out.
She explained: "I've already got a bit of a reputation for helping people with their careers. It's genuinely something that I love doing.
"I used to be a promoter for a few people who have gone on to have huge careers, like Adele.
"I've been asked a number of times to be involved in judging panels for TV shows and other talent initiatives, and turned them down because of the format."
Paloma added: "With Launching People, I get to use my knowledge, contacts and experience to help someone in their career in a positive way."

Suki Waterhouse wants to play a "badass" girl on screen.
The 22-year-old model - who is dating Hollywood hunk Bradley Cooper - has been working on her first film, romantic comedy 'Love Rosie' where she stars alongside Lily Collins and Sam Clafin, and has decided she'd like to do more film work.
She told LOOK magazine: "I just finished a romantic comedy a couple of months ago called 'Love Rosie', filmed in Ireland. It's my first proper feature film and it made me decided I want to do more, so we'll see."
Quizzed on what kind of role she'd like to be offered, she added: "Maybe a Bond girl, or anything like that. Or an Angelina Jolie 'Girl Interrupted' kind of thing. I'd like to play a bad-ass girl."
Waterhouse previously claimed models can easily become actors since the lines between the two industries are "blurred" nowadays and doesn't want to limit herself to one career.
She said: "I think with modelling and acting these days, the lines are blurred. Everyone can do all sorts of things, so why do just one?"