James Martin has candidly discussed his weight, revealing that hes been told he looks ‘fat’ on TV. The 52-year-old TV chef shared this during an episode of his popular ITV show, in which he was cooking for actor James Buckley and his wife Clair Meek, from the podcast In Sickness and in Health.
In the said episode, James crafted a sumptuous dish – blackened rice with squid, featuring savory squid ink-infused rice with soft squid, sporting a hidden core of garlic butter, all encased within a crunchy breadcrumb exterior. It is served alongside a roasted red pepper sauce topped with a spoonful of creme fraiche.
Whilst blending the sauce, he quipped: “So a classic little sauce. You blend it till it is really pura but I like to leave it like that.”
He then humorously related the consistency of the sauce to how he’s sometimes described: “The way people describe me… Chunky. I got told the other day, ‘You don’t look as fat as you do on TV.'”
James recently admitted that he does struggle with maintaining his healthy diet
(Image: (Image: ITV))
This comment sparked laughter as he added: “And I thought, ‘Oh that’s quite nice.’ I did try to find the complement but, you know.”
These revelations come after James has talked about the challenges he faced in keeping up with a healthier diet amidst his work commitments, even after an impressive three stone weight loss, reports the Express.
He previously disclosed his past habits of eating impulsively under a demanding schedule that had him working into the night, confessing he used to “stuff his face” with “really bad things” like takeaway pizza or chocolate bars.
However, his appearance on the BBC hit show Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 marked a significant turning point, as he shed weight from 17st to 14st.
James was previously told that he looks ‘fat’ on TV
(Image: ITV)
This transformation sparked a major lifestyle overhaul, prompting him to drastically alter his diet and maintain a regular fitness routine, utilising his home gym and walking extensively, often accumulating 20,000 to 30,000 steps daily.
In an interview with the Leicester Mercury, James shared: “Everything’s a balance – certainly as you get older with your diet. You get to 52 and you’re working in the kitchen, you run around the kitchen, [but] you’re not 22 anymore.
“You’re still working the hours, your brain is telling you, but your legs are telling you otherwise.” Regarding his current diet, particularly his fondness for cheese, James believes “there’s a happy medium”.
James Martin Saturday Morning airs from 10am on ITV and ITVX.