James Martin got candid about his weight struggles, sharing that he’s been called ‘fat’ on the telly. In a recent instalment of his popular ITV programme, the 52 year old chef was joined by actor James Buckley and his spouse Clair Meek, who are known for their podcast In Sickness and in Health, to sample some of Martin’s signature dishes.
The show featured Martin whipping up blackened rice with squid, a dish that marries squid ink-flavoured rice with soft squid, hidden garlic butter, all encased in a crunchy breadcrumb coating, and served alongside a roasted red pepper sauce with a touch of creme fraiche.
While preparing the sauce, Martin quipped: “So a classic little sauce. You blend it till it is really pura but I like to leave it like that.”
He then humorously related the sauce’s texture to his own physique, confessing: “The way people describe me.. Chunky. I got told the other day, ‘You don’t look as fat as you do on TV.'” The remark sparked laughter as admitted his initial instinct was to think: “Oh, that’s quite nice.” He added: “I did try to find the complement but, you know.”
Martin has also opened up about his battle with keeping a healthy diet amidst his work schedule, despite shedding an impressive three stone. The chef acknowledged his past habit of eating on the run during busy late-night shifts, often resorting to “stuffing his face” with “really bad things” like takeaway pizza or chocolate bars, reports the Express.
However, his stint on the BBC’s popular show Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 saw him shed weight from 17st to 14st.
This triggered a significant lifestyle transformation for him, leading to a radical overhaul of his diet and a commitment to regular exercise at his home gym and walking, often clocking up between 20,000 to 30,000 steps daily.
In a chat with the Leicester Mercury, James shared: “Everything’s a balance – certainly as you get older with your diet. You get to 52 and you’re working in the kitchen, you run around the kitchen, [but] you’re not 22 anymore.
“Your brain might be telling you to keep going, but your legs are saying something different.
As for his current diet and his fondness for cheese, James believes in finding “there’s a happy medium”.
James Martin’s Saturday Morning returns next Saturday at 9.30am on ITV.
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