Chef James Martin is one of the best-known faces on TV, but how did he become famous and when did he appear on Strictly?
Here’s everything you need to know about the star…
Who is James Martin?
James Martin is one of the nation’s favourite telly chefs.
Finding fame in the mid-1990s thanks to his appearances on the BBC’s legendary daytime cookery show, Ready Steady Cook, his star began to rise.
With a stint on Richard & Judy – where he visited the homes of viewers helping them to cook comfort food – he also appeared on digital channel UKTV Food.
And then, in 2006, he landed his own primetime presenting gig – Saturday Kitchen on BBC One.
Now, with dozens of series and books to his name – as well as an appearance on Strictly – he hosts James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV.
When was James Martin on Strictly?
In 2005, James appeared on series three of Strictly Come Dancing alongside the likes of Gloria Hunniford, Bill Turnbull, Zoe Ball and Patsy Palmer.
Dancing with Camilla Dallerup, he had a great competition – as well becoming as a fan favourite – and came fourth overall.
However, he revealed to Hello! magazine in 2021 that he originally didn’t want to do the show.
“I didn’t want to do [Strictly], not at all,” he said.
“But it’s one of those chef things – if you want to do something and do it well, you’ve got to throw yourself at it.”
James also said he’s still in touch with Camilla, who now lives in LA.
How old is James Martin?
James was born in Malton, North Riding, Yorkshire in 1972. That makes him 51 years old.
His family worked on the Castle Howard stately home estate, and he went to school nearby. He cultivated his love of cooking by helping his mum in the kitchen.
James says on his website: “My passion for food began when my father took the role of catering manager at the Castle Howard estate.
“At 13 a trip to the South of France in an HGV gave me the opportunity to really experience good food and wine in some of the best chateaux in France. I was hooked!”
Who is James Martin married to?
James is in a relationship with long-term partner, PA Louise Davis, who he started dating in 2011. In a 2019 with The Sunday People, he also admitted that he has no interest in tying the knot.
“No, it doesn’t interest me in the slightest, mainly because I’ve catered for so many weddings, really,” he said. “I admire people who do it, that’s fine, but I’m quite happy. I don’t need to spend 60 grand on a day, no, I’m more than happy thanks.”
However, he has admitted he has regrets about not having children, so there appears to be some conflict there.
He told Prima in 2020: “The biggest low of my career is that I’ve given up everything for it. I look at my mates and they’re all married with kids, and that’s not the case for me because I’ve been so focused on work.”
Matthew Wright also revealed that James had enjoyed a ‘secret romance’ with This Morning presenter Alice Beer before he met Louise.
Writing in his column for the Mirror at the time, Matthew insisted that he had the inside scoop from a “spy”.
In 1999, Matthew wrote: “My spies tell me that the celebrity cook has been dating lovely Alice for several months.”
He added that around the same time “Alice said that she had found a man but refused to reveal his name”.
And he quoted an insider as saying: “Alice and James seem to be really happy. They wanted to keep the relationship hush-hush so the pressure of fame wouldn’t affect their relationship.”
However, fast-forward a few years and Alice met and married her hubby, and James also moved on.
He has also dated James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
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What is James Martin’s dog called?
James currently has two dogs – Cooper and Ralph.
However, in 2019, James admitted buying little Ralph in Harrods after a particularly boozy lunch.
He told the Daily Star in 2019: “I have two dogs – a working cocker spaniel called Cooper and a little Lhasa Apso called Ralph that I bought [bleeped] from the pet store at Harrods one lunchtime.”
He explained that popped in to buy a new pair of shoes, but came away with something altogether furrier instead.
Can James Martin sing?
Well, he can certainly play guitar! Back in 2016, he learned to play the instrument and has even played live and sang on a cooking tour. In 2019, he told Christine Lampard on Lorraine that he “ruined” his fingers while learning how to play.
But when it comes to singing? “The look on everybody’s faces when I walked out… the worst thing was the look on my face was the same,” he said.
“Then they said, ‘You’ve got to do something more, can you sing?’ And I said, ‘I can’t sing at all so I do apologise’, it was just a lot of fun.”
On his Instagram feed, James has revealed that he’s out playing with his band again – but playing the guitar only.
Can you meet James Martin?
James loves going out on tour and meeting fans, as well as giving cooking demos. So the good news is that you can meet him.
One way is to sign up for one of his hosted events at his Manchester hotel.
The hotel’s website says that events feature “one-off menus and well-known guests” as well as the chance to meet the man himself.
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What is James Martin’s bbq?
One of the features of James Martin’s Saturday Morning is his impressive outdoor kitchen.
It features an amazing wood-fired oven and a barbecue grill.
The barbecue James uses is a Japanese Konro grill.
These grills are the creme de la creme when it comes to barbecuing and are known for “clean charcoal infusion” and preventing a burnt aftertaste to grilled food.
What knives does James Martin use?
James has partnered with Harts of Stur to produce his own set of knives.
Designed by the great man himself, they’re made from Molybdenum steel and feature non-slip handles.
Are the chef James Martin and Guy Martin related?
Despite his love of all things cars and motorbikes, James is not related to star motorcyclist and Channel 4 presenter, Guy.
However, not being related to Guy does not diminish James’s love of classic cars.
He owns 15 of them, and everything from a Ferrari to a JCB!
Are James and Brian Turner related?
Another common misconception is that James is related to TV chef and mentor, Brian Turner.
A former Michelin-starred chef, Brian has been friend and mentor to James since they met on Ready, Steady, Cook back in the 90s.
Since then, Brian has regularly appeared on James’s show as a guest.
What is the net worth of chef James Martin?
James has his fingers in – pardon the pun – a lot of pies.
His books, tours, hotel and restaurant, branded wine, gin and knives as well as his cookery shows for ITV have all earned him a pretty penny.
Read more: James Martin’s Saturday Morning: The online abuse that forced chef off social media
And the website Celebrity Net Worth estimates that he’s worth a cool £3.6 million.
Not bad for a Yorkshire who learned how to cook in the kitchen with his mum!
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