TV chef James Martin reveals cancer diagnosis 

Virgin Radio

28 Jul 2023, 09:15

Television chef James Martin has opened up about being treated for cancer on his face, saying that he has “to have regular treatments."

The ITV star has spoken about undergoing surgery in 2018, and that the disease has returned on "several occasions". 

The shock health update came as Martin responded to an accusation that he had grown angry with a member of staff while filming James Martin’s Saturday Morning at his home. Posting a statement on Instagram, he explained how the end of 2017 was “one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life”.

He explained that he was dealing with the death of his grandfather, and was not able to attend his funeral “on account of work commitments.” 

The chef continued: “Later that month I was burgled at night by a team of masked men, who entered my house while my partner Louise was at home alone and I was away working. I was devastated that she had to go through that alone.”

James then explained his health issue, saying: “On top of this, I was then diagnosed with cancer on my face and I had to have surgery, which I couldn’t do until two days before Christmas when we had finished filming.”

He added: “Since then it has returned on several occasions and I have to have regular treatments.”

Responding to reports of a complaint from a member of staff following the incident while filming his show, Martin said he "sincerely apologised" to the crew at the time and once again offered his apologies. A recent separate statement said that “lessons have been learned”.

Several celebrities posted messages of support in the comments section, including Atul Kochhar, Fred Sirieix and Dermot O'Leary.

Since September 2017, the presenter has fronted the cookery show, Saturday Morning with James Martin, on ITV. He previously presented the BBC cookery series Saturday Kitchen from 2006 until 2016.