Chef James Martin has recalled a terrifying moment when a celebrity guest choked on a piece of food during his ITV show, James Martin's Saturday Morning. The incident involved radio presenter Jenni Falconer, who appeared on the programme and struggled with an oversized piece of chicken parmigiana.
Speaking on LNER's Routes podcast, Falconer described cutting a large chunk of the dish and feeling compelled to eat it, leading to her choking. Martin admitted he panicked, unsure whether to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre. Falconer confirmed she could not breathe, but the situation was eventually resolved without serious harm.
Reflecting on the scare with humour, Martin told Falconer: 'I thought the first and only guest I’ve killed on the show is going to be you.' The pair laughed off the near-miss, which Falconer insisted was no joke at the time.
In the same interview, Martin shared his recommendation for the best fish and chips in the UK, praising the Magpie Café in Whitby, North Yorkshire. He described the experience of eating a large haddock with mushy peas, lemon, tartar sauce, and Sarson's vinegar as 'the pinnacle of fish and chips'.
James Martin's Saturday Morning continues airing Saturdays at 9:30am on ITV.
