James Martin Opens Up About Health Struggles: “I Can’t Bend Down as Quickly as I Used To”
James Martin, one of Britain’s best-loved celebrity chefs, has opened up about how years in the kitchen are starting to take their toll on his body.
Speaking candidly about his health and work life, the 53-year-old culinary star admitted that certain tasks are now too challenging for him to do alone, and he’s leaning on younger staff for support.
The television chef, who has spent over 30 years in hospitality, runs popular restaurants in Manchester, The Cotswolds, and Hampshire, yet he’s not shying away from sharing the reality of ageing in such a demanding industry.
Speaking at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, he told Bolton FM: “Last week I was in a restaurant, we had 160 for lunch and 130 for dinner. I can’t bend down as quickly as I used to do and pick up the plates for the hot pass.
Now I’ve got youngsters doing that for me. You’ve got to love it (being a chef). You’ve got to really want to do it and you’ve got to really want to love it.
And if you do that, it’s not really a chore. It’s the best job in the world. You never stop really (being passionate about cooking).”
James’s honesty about physical limitations paints a relatable picture. After decades of working long shifts and balancing the pressures of eatery life, it’s only natural that the body starts to protest.
Still, Martin’s passion for cooking shines through. For him, being a cook is n’t just a job it’s a way of life.
He further shared how teamwork plays a vital role in keeping his restaurants afloat. “It’s getting tougher and tougher in hospitality.
I’m finding myself more and more involved in that side of the business.
It’s nice to work with a team. Running restaurants and running businesses like that, they’re all about teamwork.
And to have over the years that team that has built up with you, many of which is still with you after all these years.
You feel honoured and privileged to be able to put on a chef’s jacket and do this for a living.”
James Martin’s journey began far from the glitzy kitchens of his current empire. After training in France, he made his TV debut in 1996.
Programmes like Ready, Steady, Cook and The Big Breakfast paved the way for his breakthrough role as the host of Saturday Kitchen in 2006, replacing Anthony Worrall Thompson.
He left the BBC in 2016 and launched James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV a year later, a testament to his staying power and love for what he does.
In a lighter revelation, James shared how his father’s support came wrapped in blunt honesty.
Speaking to Visor Down, he recalled: “The day I finished college I said to my dad that I wanted to go and work in London, so he took me home where I packed a bag, then he drove me to the train station and told me to bugger off and have a good time.
I came to London with 50 quid in my pocket and not a clue what to do. 24 hours later I was working in a kitchen in Kensington.
When I finished my shifts in the kitchen, I used to spend my time pressing my nose up against the glass of fancy car and bike dealerships, daydreaming about one day being able to afford such beautiful machines.”
Despite the hurdles, James Martin remains grateful. His love for the culinary craft hasn’t dimmed, and he continues to inspire both aspiring chefs and seasoned professionals alike.
Catch him on James Martin’s Saturday Morning, airing today, Saturday 6 September, at 9.30am on ITV.
