Celebrity chef James Martin is set to tie the knot with his girlfriend, personal trainer Kim Johnson, in a surprising turn of events for the TV star who had long insisted he would never marry.
Social Media Confirms the News
The engagement was seemingly confirmed by Kim Johnson herself via social media. The 39-year-old took to Instagram, sharing a photograph of one of Martin's culinary creations alongside a telling caption that read: 'So proud of my fiancé'. This public acknowledgment follows reports that the 53-year-old chef popped the question over the Christmas period.
According to earlier reports, the proposal was accompanied by a significant gift: a £150,000 Land Rover presented as an engagement present to his bride-to-be. The couple, who have been dating for two years, took a major step in their relationship last October when Kim moved into James's country home in Hampshire.
A Dramatic Change of Heart
This engagement represents a sharp U-turn for James Martin, who has been openly dismissive of marriage in the past. In a 2019 interview with the Sunday People, he stated unequivocally, 'Marriage doesn’t interest me in the slightest, mainly because I’ve catered for so many weddings.' He added that he saw no need to spend a large sum on a single day, saying, 'I’m more than happy thanks.'
The couple's romance first became public knowledge in April last year when they were spotted shopping for jewellery at Tiffany's in London's Mayfair. This new chapter for Martin begins exactly two years after his split from long-term girlfriend Louise Davies, a TV producer he dated for 12 years after meeting on the set of 'Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'. A spokesperson confirmed their amicable split in December 2023.
Past Relationships and Recent Challenges
Kim Johnson was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar, 61. Nayar, formerly married to actress Elizabeth Hurley, began dating Kim in 2011. The pair married in July 2016 but divorced the following year.
The engagement news arrives after a challenging period for James Martin. Last summer, he faced public allegations of bullying and intimidating behaviour from crew members working on his ITV show, 'James Martin's Spanish Adventure'. ITV investigated and confirmed they had spoken to the chef.
This followed reports of a separate incident in 2018 during the production of 'James Martin's Saturday Morning', where he reportedly launched a foul-mouthed tirade at staff. Martin subsequently apologised, stating 'lessons have been learned' and citing significant personal turmoil at the time, including a cancer diagnosis, a home invasion, and a bereavement.
