TV chef James Martin has revealed he was diagnosed with facial cancer several years ago, amid reports his behaviour towards production staff has led to complaints and a potential exit from television.
In a series of tweets, Martin described the end of 2017 as 'one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life', citing the cancer diagnosis, his grandfather's death, and a home burglary. He admitted he 'overreacted' when his home was flooded during filming for James Martin's Saturday Morning in January 2018.
Reports emerged this week of a fresh complaint to ITV regarding his behaviour on the programme Spanish Adventure, filmed in May. Martin has been accused of berating staff and reducing them to tears, according to US publication Deadline.
In a joint statement, Martin and production company Blue Marlin said 'lessons have been learned'. An ITV spokesman stated that 'people and their welfare' are their highest priority, and they have made recommendations to Blue Marlin to implement better staff welfare procedures.
Martin expressed regret, saying he 'can only say I am human' after a build-up of personal life pressure. The cancer has returned several times, requiring regular treatments, which may force him to step back from his TV career.
