Bobby Flay Walks Out Of ‘Iron Chef’ Mid-Battle, Says It Will Be His ‘Last’ Battle On The Food Network Show

Iron Chef is one of the longest-running and most watched shows on Food Network, which features some of the most popular chefs, including Bobby Flay. While things can get pretty heated easily in the competition, the 52-year-old chef recently walked out in the middle of a battle, tore off his apron to reveal a shirt underneath, which says it will be his final battle on the show.

Bobby Flay recently sparked controversy after Vanity Fair reported on drama that took place in the middle of filming an episode for Iron Chef Showdown in Southern California. According to the report, Flay tore off his apron mid-battle to reveal a message on his shirt that this will be his “last Iron Chef battle ever.”

The publication notes that Iron Chef Showdown is filmed live; thus, the producers rushed in to Flay and told him that they will not be able to cut through this scene. Flay reportedly told the producers that he knew they were unable to do so and that it was exactly his intention when he tore off his apron.

Since news of Flay’s rumored exit from Iron Chef came about, Flay immediately issued a statement clarifying that he wore the shirt as a joke and it did not mean anything else. Flay explained that he just wanted to have fun since it was his last battle for the season and said that he will return to the show as long as his schedule permits him to do so.

However, the publication notes on the possibility that a deal between Flay and Food Network might have transpired after his stunt went public. There have reportedly been several hints in the past that Flay might be leaving the show (and possibly the network) for good.

For example, Flay was a no-show during the Rooftop Iron Chef Showdown and at the New York City Wine and Food Festival even though he was spotted leaving a restaurant in New York with Scarlett Johansson. There have also been rumors that Food Network’s owner, Scripps Networks, may soon be bought by Discovery Communications. Should both companies close a deal, this may explain Flay’s hesitancy to continue being on Iron Chef.

Do you think Bobby Flay’s actions meant that he wanted to leave Iron Chef or do you believe that he was merely having fun during his final battle for the season?

[Featured Image by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images]