A TAUNTON fried chicken restaurant will appear in a new BBC Two series, Britain's Top Takeaways, tonight at 8pm. 

Eat the Bird, a Coal Orchard-based business that recently celebrated its fifth birthday, took part in the second of the series' eight episodes. 

Each episode sees five takeaways from the same sector take part in a cooking contest judged by families from the comfort of their dining tables or sofas. 

The programme is co-hosted by BBC Radio 2 drivetime presenter Sara Cox and comedian Darren Harriott.

The first-ever episode of Britain's Top Takeaways aired last week and focused on fish and chips, while tonight's offering will be centred on fried chicken. 

Eat the Bird owner Dan Aldridge and operations chef Luke McGarvey travelled to Manchester to take part in the show.

Somerset County Gazette: Eat the Bird will appear on Britain's Top Takeaways tonight. Picture: Tom LeamanEat the Bird will appear on Britain's Top Takeaways tonight. Picture: Tom Leaman

Dan, who launched the business in 2017, said: “It was really good fun.

“Networking with all the other restaurants was really cool, and it was a good vibe.

“The fact that we were in consideration felt amazing for us, and we felt a sense of pride and privilege to be able to do that for the south west.”


Read more: Popular Taunton restaurant set to appear in national TV competition 


When the show was announced in June, co-host Sara said: “Especially in recent times, the takeaway has become something of an event in our house.

“We look forward to burgers, noodles, curry - all delicious and delivered to our front door. 

“I’m thrilled to be celebrating the takeaway and finding the very best in Britain and, if that means eating all the leftover chips and putting on half a stone, so be it.”

Somerset County Gazette: Sara Cox and Darren Harriott co-host Britain's Top Takeaways, which will feature a local business tonight. Sara Cox and Darren Harriott co-host Britain's Top Takeaways, which will feature a local business tonight.

Five families are in charge of rating the takeaways at the end of every episode - including Royston and Nick from The Royal Housewives of Cheshire. 

Later episodes will be based on different types of takeaway including noodles, pizzas, Indian, kebabs, and Mexican. 

As well as a TV appearance, Eat the Bird has been nominated for the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year award in the south west and Wales category, which is voted for by the public.  

The business also operates a restaurant in Sidwell Street, Exeter.

WATCH: Britain's Top Takeaway trailer featuring Dan and Luke from Eat the Bird