ITV chef James Martin has candidly revealed the extreme diet he endured during his time on Strictly Come Dancing, describing how it left him feeling "starving" after weeks of restrictive eating. The disclosure came during the return episode of his Saturday Morning show, where he welcomed Strictly professionals Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu as special guests.
Strictly Diet Confessions
Reflecting on his 2005 stint on the BBC dance competition, where he secured fourth place with professional partner Camilla Dallerup, Martin explained the unusual dietary regime imposed by the show's dancers. "I was so starving because the dancers put you on a diet," the 53-year-old chef confessed. "I had to eat lettuce during the day, and buckets of chicken on a night when I left."
Fast Food Survival
Martin elaborated that he survived on meals from "the very well known fast food outlet," consuming fried chicken "by the bag and bucket" to compensate for the daytime restrictions. The topic emerged naturally during the show when Amy Dowden, 35, discussed how her Crohn's disease limits her food choices, including red meat, nuts, and foods with tough skins.
When Dowden expressed surprise that Martin knew her favourite food was fried chicken, he connected it to their shared Strictly experience. "I think it's a Strictly thing," Martin explained before demonstrating how to make homemade crispy fried chicken glazed in a sticky cherry cola barbecue sauce with fresh herbs, chilli, and lime.
Strictly Connections
Martin credited Strictly Come Dancing with helping launch his television career, recalling that during his appearance two decades ago, viewers might have wondered, "Who's that fat lad on the show?" Carlos Gu, 33, quickly interjected to insist Martin was always a "charming lad."
The chef praised the "relentless" work ethic of professional dancers, suggesting standards have "only increased" since his time on the programme. Both Dowden and Gu acknowledged the demanding nature of Strictly while affirming their love for being part of the iconic series.
Amy Dowden's Journey
Dowden shared her unique Strictly history, revealing she was the first professional dancer to initially decline joining the show before eventually accepting the opportunity. She described how her subsequent cancer battle made her appreciate the programme even more, explaining that when health issues forced her withdrawal, "what I loved most was taken away from me."
The dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, undergoing chemotherapy and a mastectomy before entering recovery. While she hasn't confirmed her return to Strictly this year, fans can see her perform alongside Carlos Gu in their Reborn 2.0 tour, which Gu says represents the personal challenges both dancers have overcome.
Mutual Admiration
Carlos Gu recently praised Dowden's resilience on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast, describing his co-star as "so strong" and "so positive" following her health struggles. The mutual respect between the dancers was evident throughout their appearance on James Martin's show.
James Martin's Saturday Morning returns next week on Saturday at 9:30am on ITV1 and ITVX, continuing to blend culinary expertise with celebrity conversations and personal revelations.
