Jimmy Doherty ‘poached by ITV’ to replace James Martin amid chef’s cancer battle
Jimmy Doherty has reportedly been poached by ITV to replace James Martin amid the chef’s cancer battle.
The 51-year-old Yorkshireman was diagnosed with facial cancer in 2018, and underwent surgery, but the cancer has returned on “several occasions”, forcing him to take a career break while he focuses on his health. Speaking to a sold-out audience during his latest tour stop in Newcastle, James thanked his fans for their support over the last three decades.
“On a personal note, I just wanted to say thank you for 30 years of television. For me personally, I've been through a lot of s*** with cancer but I'm getting sorted at the end of next month. I will be back fighting at the end of February but I'm going on a little bit of a break to get that sorted,” James told the audience at the Philharmonic Hall. “I just wanted to say thank you for all your support and all your messages.”
READ MORE:NHS face cancer symptoms to watch out for as James Martin issues health update
Jimmy is best known for presenting shows on BBC and Channel 4The chef fronted the Saturday Morning cookery show on ITV, but it’s been reported that farmer Jimmy Doherty, best known for being Jamie Oliver’s best mate and fronting his own cookery shows, is being lined up to replace James. The 48-year-old usually presents shows on BBc and Channel 4, such as Food Unwrapped and Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, but has been coaxed over to ITV to present another series of his own.
James Martin's fans slam TV chef for 'lowering himself' after new announcement
According to The Sun, Jimmy will be launching a new cooking show called Jimmy’s Taste of Florida, and the five-part series will air in February next year. The series will see him explore the culinary delights of Florida, nicknamed the Sunshine State, and in recent posts on his Instagram Stories, Jimmy is already there exploring the local restaurants and cuisines.
James is taking a break to focus on his health (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Earlier this year, James revealed his secret cancer battle, and confirmed he had been keeping his health struggles under wraps for more than four years. “I was then diagnosed with cancer on my face and I had to have surgery, which I couldn’t do until two days before Christmas when we had finished filming,” he said in July. “Since then it has returned on several occasions and I have to have regular treatments.”
During the latest stop on his tour, he shared a black-and-white photo of him looking out in the crowd, as he admitted it was a “pinch yourself” moment. “This tour and these nights are pinch yourself moments, moments in time that are really special and tonight was another… Newcastle you were amazing… Edinburgh tomorrow! Thank you to all of you who have come to see it so far and for the all the rest yet to see it… I’m looking forward to the last week of the UK tour!” he penned.
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