James Martin shares health update following cancer battle

Virgin Radio

15 Apr 2024, 14:13

James Martin has updated fans about his health during a TV appearance today (15th April).

The TV chef first spoke publicly about his cancer diagnosis in July 2023, when he explained that he had been receiving regular treatment for facial cancer since 2018. In November of last year, he revealed that he would be “going on a little bit of a break” from onscreen appearances, saying he would be back in February.

This morning, he appeared on telly for an interview on ITV’s Lorraine, having recently announced a live tour. 

When Lorraine said: “Everything is good right now, isn’t it? You’re doing really well, the show just gets better and better, you’ve got this tour to look forward to," the 51-year-old chef replied: “Yeah, the stitches have fallen out, as you know, the last time I was on, I was in the middle of operations. As we speak, the stitches have fallen out of my body at the moment and that's all clear.”

He added: “Onwards and upwards!”

James was a familiar face on BBC's Saturday Kitchen for a decade until 2016. He then made the switch to ITV in 2017, where he has since hosted Saturday Morning with James Martin, as well as various food travel shows. 

His cancer announcement came at around the same time that members of his crew complained about him losing his temper on set in the past. 

In his statement, the presenter described the corresponding period in early 2018 as “one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life,” and explained that, ahead of the incident in question, due to work commitments, he had been unable to attend the funeral of his grandfather; had later had his house burgled while his partner was home alone, and then he received his cancer diagnosis.

In his statement, James explained that he had “sincerely apologised” to the crew at the time, and offered his apologies again. He later reassured that “lessons have been learned” since the incident.

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.