‘I’m much thinner than I look on TV!’
TV chef James Martin chats about his love of food, fast cars and fried chicken
He’s enjoyed culinary road trips around America, France and Great Britain, but now celebrity chef James Martin is back at home hosting the third series of James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV.
The 47 year old has already welcomed a whole host of celebrity guests – including Martin Kemp and McFly’s Dougie Poynter – to his Hampshire home, where he’s been busy preparing droolsome recipes such as artichoke charred prawns and salmon pithivier.
Away from our screens, the chef has been in a relationship with girlfriend Louise Davies since 2011.
Here, he tells us all about the latest series, the most famous people in his contacts book and his secret guitar talent…
How’s the new series of Saturday Morning shaping up?
The show was only supposed to last 12 episodes originally, but now we’re coming up on our 100th episode.To be honest, I never thought we’d get to that number but the show is flying – the viewing figures are going up.
Is it the ultimate working-fromhome gig?
Well, I’ve had to kick certain celebrity guests out late at night because they don’t want to go home. I was playing pool with the Boyzone lads long after everyone else had left, while Jodie Kidd is also fond of a party.
What’s the most popular part of the show?
First Dates’ Merlin has been back with a masterclass on how to make cocktails out of beer. In fact, Chris Kamara stuck around especially for that, even though he wasn’t meant to be in the slot! We’ve also got healthy recipes for dog dinners, which is an interesting subject because everyone loves their pets, but there’s hardly any nutrients in a dog biscuit. We’re not trying to turn dogs into vegans!
You’re a big dog lover yourself…
I bought my cute little Lhasa apso, Ralph, from the pets section of Harrods. He’s so chilled out, is the boss of the house and gets thousands of“likes”on my social media sites. My other one, Cooper, is a working cocker spaniel who keeps me healthy because he needs two walks a day.
What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to food?
I love a KFC Bargain Bucket. When I was younger and less well known, I’d go into the restaurants myself to order one, but now I send someone else. The secret recipe has been leaked on to the internet, so it’s actually very easy to make your own KFC
at home.
How about a special “date night” recipe?
If I’m cooking for my girlfriend, I’ll prepare steak with bearnaise sauce, chips and a really nice green salad, with leaves picked from my own vegetable garden, plus a French dressing.
What’s the secret to a successful romantic relationship?
I’ve been with Louise for years now, so I’d say the key things are respect, hard work and learning to value each other.
Tell us about your collection of classic cars…
I’ve got around 60 cars and bikes. My pride and joy is probably my Ferrari 275 and my most recent purchase is a mega 1965 Ford GT40. I woke up in the morning with no intention of buying a car, but a dealer called me up and by lunchtime it was sat in my garage. I never dreamed I’d own these beautiful pieces of moveable art.
Have you ever had any nasty car accidents?
I crashed a car while racing at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed. I got clipped from behind, the car dug into some grass, spun and flipped over. When I stumbled out and took my helmet off, the race steward looked at me in horror as all the blood vessels in my eyes had burst.
You’re a big music fan, too...
I’ve been learning to play guitar for about 18 months and my firstever gig with a band was in front of 34,000 people at CarFest in Hampshire earlier this year. I was bricking it before I went onstage, but it was such good fun.
Who are your guitar heroes?
Jimi Hendrix is the best of the best and I’m always amazed by Angus Young from AC/DC, because he can play complex guitar parts while spinning on his back in a schoolboy outfit. To impress friends, I’ve just learnt to play the solo to The Chain by Fleetwood Mac, which was the Formula 1 TV theme tune.
What’s a common misconception about you?
That I’m fat! I’m actually much thinner than I look on television.
Who’s the most famous person in your phone contacts?
Probably Daniel Craig. He knows a thing or two about nice cars from playing James Bond.
You were on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. Do you still watch it?
It’s on on a Saturday night, so I’m a bit busy in the restaurant. From this series I know Chris Ramsey, Emma Weymouth and Kelvin Fletcher. I told them they’ve no idea how difficult and relentless it is.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard and treat others how you’d wish to be treated yourself.That was from my mother. She’s 72 and still works four days a week.