Celebrity chef James Martin has made a grand romantic gesture, gifting his new girlfriend a brand new luxury car worth an eye-watering £150,000 for Christmas. The 53-year-old television personality surprised his personal trainer partner, 38-year-old Kim Johnson, with the flashy Land Rover after a festive week together.
A Festive Surprise and a New Chapter
The couple, who went public with their relationship earlier this year, enjoyed a cosy trip on the Polar Express, dressed in matching pyjamas with Martin sporting a knitted Santa hat. While the chef is famously private about his personal life, Johnson took to her Instagram Story on Thursday to share her shock at the extravagant present.
Posting a photo of the new vehicle, she wrote: 'James Martin I am speechless!!' and told friends she was 'gobsmacked' by the Christmas surprise. This new romance marks a fresh start for Martin, who split from his girlfriend of 12 years, TV producer Louise Davies, in December 2023. The pair remain on good terms.
Kim Johnson's Past and Martin's View on Marriage
Kim Johnson, whose official Instagram handle is @kimjohnson.pt, was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar, the ex-husband of actress Elizabeth Hurley. The pair tied the knot in July 2016 but divorced the following year. Despite the lavish gift, it seems wedding bells are not on the cards for Martin and Johnson anytime soon.
In a 2019 interview with the Sunday People, Martin explained his stance on marriage, stating: 'No, it doesn't interest me in the slightest, mainly because I've catered for so many weddings, really. I admire people who do it, that's fine, but I'm quite happy. I don't need to spend 60 grand on a day.'
Bouncing Back from a Rollercoaster Year
The public display of affection and generosity comes after what Martin has described as an incredibly difficult period. The chef faced a very public scandal in summer 2023 when he was accused of bullying and intimidating behaviour by crew working on his ITV show, James Martin's Spanish Adventure.
This followed reports of a previous incident in 2018, where he launched a foul-mouthed tirade after a drain blockage at his home caused significant damage during the filming of James Martin's Saturday Morning. In response, Martin apologised, saying 'lessons have been learned' and attributed his emotional reaction to immense personal stress.
He later revealed the context behind his outburst, detailing a harrowing sequence of events at the end of 2017. This included the death of his grandfather, a terrifying home invasion by masked burglars while his partner was home alone, and a shocking cancer diagnosis on his face requiring surgery and ongoing treatment.
In November, Martin told fans he would be taking a break from his TV career at the end of February to focus on his health, stating: 'I've been through a lot of s**t with cancer but I'm getting sorted.' The gift to his new girlfriend signals a happier, more positive chapter for the chef as he looks to move forward from a turbulent few years.
