Talk:Ainsley Harriott

Life - interesting allegations?
There are some strange allegations made about Ainsley at the bottom of the "Life" section, which seem rather unlikely and are also not backed up with any evidence. Being new to wiki I don't want to change it myself, but I feel that someone should check up on it. Muchosamor (talk) 16:39, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

Children's names and gender?
http://www.ainsley-harriott.net/about/profile-2.html says "Ainsley Harriott is married to former costume designer Clare Fellows and has two children, Jimmy and Madeleine," but here it's claimed that "They have two boys called Magnus and Vaughan and a dog called Oscar." My wife says she has heard him talking about Jimmy and his daughter on TV. What's going on here? Emrys2 18:47, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

I've added his children's basic details, which are stated on the birth index: he has a son and a daughter. Werdnawerdna (talk) 01:24, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

Ainsley's Barbecue Bible/Koran
Very amusing, but isn't it "Ainsley's Barbecue Bible", really? I don't think there's any religious allusions, it's just a colloquial use of the word. 170.202.204.242 17:08, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

Red Dwarf
I dont remember him being in Red Dwarf... can anyone quote an episode and character? TR_Wolf
 * I didn't believe that either, but IMDb lists it as a guest appearance as "Gelf Chief" in 1993 mensch • t 19:14, 3 October 2006

(UTC)
 * He appeared as the chief of the GELF tribe in Emohawk - Polymorph II. Thor Malmjursson (talk) 15:11, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

Trivia section disputed
Since has added odd trivia and peculiar references to individuals' African heritage, I now seriouly doubt any trivia section touched by him/her. Therefore, as I have little time to investigate this, I am tagging it to garner those willing and able to do so. Thanks! - CobaltBlueTony 13:50, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

More trivia
I seriously dispute the trivia fact that Obie Trice references Ainsley in Adrenaline Rush from the 8 Mile OST. Cockers 11:38, 13 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Per WP:BLP, if in doubt (or it doesn't have a citation), take it out! --Steve (Slf67)talk 22:07, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

He is defeninatley name checked in the song. Towards the end of the final verse the line is;

"So throw up your hands and peep out your man's

When I come through next quarter trust it in you's,

And trust I'm attackin it,

I cook up the hot shit like Ainsley Harriot"

it is is blatent when listened to and its on every lyric site... so why isnt this being left in?

see here for lyric results from google: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rls=DVFA,DVFA:1970--2,DVFA:en&q=adrenaline+rush+lyrics+harriot

timilligan 15:50, 16 February 2007

There's also a version where that line reads :"And trust I'm attackin it, I hook up the hot shit like ay see we havin it". So which one is right? The lyrics are pretty offensive, have we a quote that Harriott is deeply honoured to be name checked in that way? --Steve (Slf67)talk 01:31, 17 February 2007 (UTC)


 * I'm not necessarily advocating that this information be put back in, however whether or not Harriott is honoured to be namechecked in the song is of no significance whatsoever. Something being notable does not rely on the subject of the article liking it. By the way, on listening to the song, I have no doubt Trice says "like Ainsley Harriott"80.195.246.3 (talk) 01:09, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

I've just added this information back in. Sorry, I added it before I saw the discussion. He's definitely name-checked by Obie, and I think it's quite an interesting (and unusual) piece of trivia. How many other flamboyant British chefs have been name-checked by rappers? Rather than just chucking it into a trivia section, I added it straight after the bit about his show in America which, presumably, is when Obie Trice would have become aware of him. Many Wiki articles contain a section on references in popular culture, so this piece of trivia should be kept in, in my opinion. GillsMan (talk) 08:06, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

Sexuality
Gay? Yay or nay?


 * Nay. Being a bit flamboyant doesn't mean he's gay. -88.110.200.140 (talk) 08:56, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

He's camp at times, yet, like Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, he is, as far as we know, 100% straight. Werdnawerdna (talk) 00:43, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

Race
Isn't he white? I heard he had melanism. See interview with Parkinson 5/12/1997.

No, that's ridiculous. He, along with most of his family, are negroes of Caribbean descent. Werdnawerdna (talk) 00:43, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

He is black, why does this fact keep geting removed??
 * Does it matter? Do we need to state that Gordon Ramsay is a white chef? mensch • t 20:04, 19 July 2006 (UTC)
 * I thought the picture was self-evident, but I guess if you're blind... Are you blind? Do blind people care that he's black? - CobaltBlueTony 20:10, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

I my browser dosent show pictures, and I know other peoples dont too. They, like me, may not have known that Ainsley is black
 * You're still living in the Dark Ages of the Browser Era? They can't see Gordon Ramsay then either, what a shame. It doesn't matter whether someone is white or black, explicitly stating that Harriot is a black chef might offend people, because it sounds like a hint of racism. mensch • t 21:43, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

Nothing racist about it, its a point of fact and should be left in, its the truth is it not?
 * Of course it's the truth, but it's not of any encyclopedic value. It's like stating that Tony Blair is a white man and Nelson Mandela a black man. So it shouldn't be left in, such edits will still be viewed as vandalism. mensch • t 22:02, 19 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Um, the fact that Nelson Mandela is black is not entirely irrelevant, considering his entire life story hinges upon that fact. -88.109.219.4 (talk) 10:37, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

what of someone is reserching black chefs and is unable to view pictures?? I feel that it should be added.
 * Nothing more racist than calling someone a black man! Jesus. I hate this fucking country.
 * It's not racist calling him "Black" (ffs) but it's not relevant either. Those special people unable to view the picture, should be able to work he's likely to be black from the fact he's of Jamaican descent.  If they really care, that is, which they don't.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by GillsMan (talk • contribs) 08:09, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

Arsenal
He supports arsenal, should it be added in? http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=491748&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Season+Review:+The+celebrities+have+their+say 84.13.249.210 (talk) 14:46, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Sure.--EchetusXe (talk) 21:55, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Family?
As much as I wish it were true, I don't think he's Dave Benson Phillips' brother, though spank my arse and call me Ainsley if I'm wrong. --89.240.231.141 (talk) 20:51, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

Meme status?
Ainsley is a famous figure on the internet, noted for his memorable facial expressions. Perhaps a reference to this could go in the trivia section?Brakeu (talk) 00:35, 11 May 2011 (UTC) Getting to be a meme and character on youtube channel PewDiePie (youtube channel with the highest number of subscribers).hue — Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.0.50.2 (talk) 18:55, 18 September 2016 (UTC)

Update please...
Ready Steady Cook ended in 2010, so shouldn't be listed as 2000-present. -Walnuts go kapow (talk) 14:32, 26 November 2011 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 4 September 2015
I think his meme presence is too hard to ignore. Yes, it's difficult to cite reliably; I don't know how to show that a source was found on a certain date and can change, so can someone please add that? Harriott is known to have gained a profound social media following. The term "Ainsley Harriott" reaps a significant majority of memes and digitally edited images, featuring Harriott as their subject. The video sharing platform, YouTube, contains numerous compilations of Harriott starring in various television shows. One video, titled "ainsley harriott exe [h3h3 productions]", has surpassed 1 million views.
 * Social Media

86.142.226.101 (talk) 20:18, 4 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Still appears to be a BLP problem to me. I'll let others opine, but BLP applies to talk pages too.  If consensus goes against addition this request will have to go as well.  Tide  rolls  20:35, 4 September 2015 (UTC)
 * I've tried to keep as impartial as possible without going off on tangents about the somewhat vulgar nature of his SM following. I'm not sure if the sources I've cited are reliable enough given that the majority are internet searches. Perhaps you could add something like "retrieved dd/mm/yy" so that readers know they are subject to change. The knowyourmeme source may not be reliable in terms of the exact nature of his social media presence per se, but it proves that such a presence exists in its own rite. Oh, and while we're at it, perhaps add something about the £20 note petition?? 86.142.226.101 (talk) 20:47, 4 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Would need a reliable source to note that he's got a bunch of memes involving him, otherwise this would fall under original research. To contrast with a similar situation where this sort of thing is appropriate, see Keanu Reeves, where reliable sources are commenting on the meme. User generated content and google searches are not reliable sources. I think Know your meme comes somewhat closer, but without something much more substantive, would argue against adding this Cannolis (talk) 21:10, 4 September 2015 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 19 November 2015 - Hooray! Finally a reliable source for his social media following!
Harriott has gained a significant following on social media. A Facebook group known as Ukainsley Harriott has gained over 15,000 members. One administrator told The Huffington Post "I'd seen Ainsley's face popping up a lot in internet culture, like the famous oil up photo and stuff, and I thought a group dedicated to him would be pretty funny."

In May 2015, a Change.org petition for Harriott's face to feature on the £20 note had gained over 3,000 signatures. The petition described Harriott as an "oily god" who should "get his glory on the £20 note." 

R ting 96 (talk) 21:20, 19 November 2015 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done for now: To me this sounds like WP:TRIVIA, but I'll leave the request open to get input from other editors. Sam Sailor Talk! 11:00, 20 November 2015 (UTC)

Anyone else? I really think this is too big to exclude from the entire article!!! Also add stuff about his TV show with Len Goodman. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.158.134.51 (talk) 11:42, 24 November 2015 (UTC)
 * This also strikes me as trivia. /wia   /tlk  06:55, 5 December 2015 (UTC)
 * Agreed. This has been open for a while now and it doesn't look like this is going to happen. I have deactivated the request. --Stabila711 (talk) 22:13, 6 December 2015 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 5 January 2016
Is it of interest to note that Ainsley Harriott is the cousin of the 1980s West Indian cricketer Jeffrey Dujon http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2008/08/master_of_the_bacon_buttie.shtml - it ties in maybe with his being head chef at Lords - maybe I'll try and ediut the Jeffrey Dujon page to note this sometime too

Browncrust (talk) 09:50, 5 January 2016 (UTC)
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format. Also, the BBC article states that Harriott and Dijon are related, but does not describe the nature of their relationship. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for us to just assume they are cousins. Do you have any additional reliable sources that verify this? Mz7 (talk) 00:37, 9 January 2016 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 22 September 2016
He is a recurring character on YouTube's "PewdiePie" channel, where Alex often asks for advice from a paper model of the actor.

VeronicaAHill (talk) 01:07, 22 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Not done. Please read WP:Identifying reliable sources, WP:Biographies of living persons, WP:NOT and WP:Notability.  Tide  rolls  01:43, 22 September 2016 (UTC)

Can we add this page to "Category:Internet memes"?
I think his meme presence is too hard to ignore. Yes, it's difficult to cite reliably; I don't know how to show that a source was found on a certain date and can change, so can someone please add that? Harriott is known to have gained a profound social media following. The term "Ainsley Harriott" reaps a significant majority of memes and digitally edited images, featuring Harriott as their subject. The video sharing platform, YouTube, contains numerous compilations of Harriott starring in various television shows. One video, titled "ainsley harriott exe (h3h3Productions)", has surpassed 1 million views.
 * Social Media


 * According to Categorization of people we should not add a category that is not a defining characteristic. If Harriott being a meme is insufficiently noteworthy to merit a paragraph in the article then it cannot be significant enough to be a defining characteristic. Also, biographies of living people must be reliably sourced. We cannot directly add a citation for a category, we must mention the fact in the body of the article and cite a source there. I recently removed a paragraph that mentioned Harriott being a meme (here), because of an implication of obscenity and the link to a copy violation. I would not object to this category if the fact is mentioned in well-sourced paragraph in the article and the WP:BLP rules are followed.Verbcatcher (talk) 21:52, 7 May 2017 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 4 March 2017
It should be mentioned that Ainsley Harriott is widely known as a cardboard cutout character on PewDiePie's YouTube show. (http://pewdiepie.wikia.com/wiki/Ainsley) (http://www.wetheunicorns.com/youtubers/ainsley-harriott-cutout-demon-pewdiepie/) Norcal618 (talk) 06:25, 4 March 2017 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: as you have not cited reliable sources to back up your request for "widely known", (Wikia is not a reliable source) without which no information should be added to, or changed in, any article. - Furthermore, this is basically trivia - Arjayay (talk) 11:42, 4 March 2017 (UTC)

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Found a link in which Harriot talks about being a meme
I think it's time to add him back to the category:Internet memes.190.237.96.27 (talk) 22:55, 14 March 2018 (UTC)

> I actually never heard of him before. I just googled "rape oil" and started finding memes of his face. Then out of curiosity I searched for his name and ended up here. Maybe being an Internet meme is more important (at least outside UK?) 81.233.142.123 (talk) 07:44, 28 July 2018 (UTC)


 * I have repeatedly reverted his addition to Category:Internet memes on the basis that there was no source. However, we can cite this YouTube clip as a source for this (it is on the YouTube channel of the presumed copyright holder). I am ok with adding this category provided that we add a sentence about him being a meme, and cite a source such as this. Verbcatcher (talk) 00:22, 22 August 2018 (UTC)


 * Found another two articles about Ainsley Harriott's meme status, one from Huffpost discussing the bizarre nature of the memes and an interview with Ainsley himself on Inews. --179.6.219.231 (talk) 03:01, 12 October 2018 (UTC)

Infobox image
The infobox image is a bit extreme isn't it? Buster Reynolds (talk) 15:10, 27 November 2019 (UTC)
 * I don't think it is a problem, particularly as it reflects Harriott's public persona. Verbcatcher (talk) 19:37, 16 December 2019 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 28 February 2024
Ainsley Harriott's birthday is the 28th of February, it is now the 28th of February in the UK so I'm requesting the change of the age on his page from 66 to 67. 81.108.196.187 (talk) 00:46, 28 February 2024 (UTC)
 * Pictogram voting wait.svg Already done The age updates automatically, it probably just happened an hour late because of summer time. Jamedeus (talk) 01:10, 28 February 2024 (UTC)

Somebody add the HEHE BOI meme
It has 10s of millions of views on YouTube. 122.187.117.179 (talk) 20:32, 21 May 2024 (UTC)


 * https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kk0feCp_MZ4 122.187.117.179 (talk) 20:33, 21 May 2024 (UTC)
 * 26 million views isn't many these days. But you'd need some secondary sources to establish notability. Martinevans123 (talk) 21:12, 21 May 2024 (UTC)