Celebrity chef James Martin has disclosed that a stranger's sudden death during a performance led to his departure from BBC One's Saturday Kitchen. Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Martin recounted the incident: 'That was over a year ago and that was the decision to change.'
The man, believed to be a singer performing at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards in 2015 in the UAE, 'stood up on stage and passed away in front of me,' Martin said. Reflecting on his work-life balance, he added: 'I look back at all the work I'd done - four days off that year and five the year before and I thought something's got to change.'
Martin told hosts Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan that following the shock and his subsequent decision to reprioritise, 'for the first time in my life I'm content and happy.' He also addressed rumours about joining the new Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, stating: 'I tried to put a bet on myself twice but they're not taking odds so I don't think that's going to happen.'
Since Martin's departure, guest hosts including chefs John Torode, Angela Hartnett, and Lorraine Pascale have presented Saturday Kitchen. Martin had fronted the show since 2006, taking over from Antony Worrall Thompson, and was known for features like 'food heaven' and 'food hell' and the omelette challenge.
