James Martin drew a mixed response when he debuted his new TV show – with some viewers accusing him of rehashing Saturday Kitchen.

The TV chef’s new chat and cookery series, Saturday Morning With James Martin, launched on ITV.

It aired at the same time as BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, a programme the star spent 10 years on until bowing out last year.

While some viewers said the new, pre-recorded series had improved their Saturday mornings, others vowed to stick with his old show, which has declined in popularity since Martin, 45, left.

@houndario was unimpressed, tweeting: “Watched the first half hour of the James Martin thing and it’s terrible! Now watching BBC 1 Saturday Kitchen.”

@ColleteGibson wrote: “The Beeb has never been the same since James Martin left but this is recorded, plagiarised ITV crud. Will stick with Saturday Kitchen thanks.”

@lizzylu1970 added: “Not quite sure why James Martin left Saturday Kitchen as he’s doing exactly same thing but on ITV??”

And @AshGroveBlade said: “Must say, finding the whole Saturday Morning With James Martin show in direct competition with Saturday Kitchen a touch treacherous.”

But‏ @shunty09 enjoyed the new series, writing: “Loved the new show! So glad you’re back waking me up on a Saturday morning.”

And @Peter_H_Todd said: “Great first show. James Martin racing cars and cooking that’s one fantastic way to start my Saturday morning.”

@LenorePorter65 wrote: “Fabulous show, Saturday mornings are good again!”

Martin has previously dismissed suggestions that there would be any similarities between the two shows.

“I think if you see it, it’s not a comparison,” he told HuffPost UK. “The only comparison is me. I can’t change me.”

His new weekend series was one of three new commissions announced earlier this year by ITV, following on from his daytime series James Martin’s French Adventure.