27 July 2023 , 20:23
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James Martin has revealed he was diagnosed with cancer on his face as he apologised for his foul-mouthed rant on the set of an ITV show. The TV chef also confirmed he has had to have surgery, which he had two days before Christmas when filming had finished.
In recent days, James has been accused of 'bullying and intimidating behaviour' by crew members on an ITV show. He released a statement where he said he "was shocked by what had happened and on reflection acknowledges he responded emotionally."
The chef has been accused by a producer that while filming for James Martin's Spanish Adventure, when he reportedly 'berated' staff and 'reduced them to tears' in front of other colleagues. This is the second reported complaint ITV received over his behaviour. The previous incident was in 2018. James reportedly went into a 'foul-mouthed tirade' against staff members when a drain in his home became blocked.
After reports of his behaviour went public, James took to Twitter to apologise for his behaviour and opened up about his cancer diagnosis. He said: "Firstly, I would like to publicly and sincerely apologise to the crew involved in this incident, as I did at the time. I have always strived to keep my private life private.
"However since details of a conversation, which was secretly recorded in January 2018, are now five years later being made public by a former member of our production team, I have decided to make a statement. The end of 2017 was one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life.
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"I was dealing with the death of my last living grandparent, my grandfather, and on account of work commitments I could not attend his funeral. Later that month I was burgled at night by a team of masked men, who entered my house while my partner Louise was at home alone and I was away working. I was devastated that she had to go through alone.
He went on to discuss his diagnosis, telling fans: "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. Since then it has returned on several occasions and I have to have regular treatments.
"After all this stress I was in a very emotional state, and when after filming in early January 2018 I discovered my home had been flooded while filming, I was extremely upset. I can only say I am human and following a build-up of personal life pressure, I admit that I overreacted regarding the damage to my home."
James was accused of the behaviour by a producer, who spoke to Deadline about what they allegedly witnessed. A producer who worked with the chef in the past told the publication : "What’s remarkable is I saw this behaviour on every project I did with him and it feels conscious. I think he just feels like it’s OK to behave like that."
It wasn't long before leaked audio from a Zoom of the TV chef scolding workers in a tirade over a blocked drain was shared. James reportedly yelled they would be “f**king fried” and punishes them by demanding they take their lunch break standing up in the “f***ing rain”.
In what is claimed is a recording of Martin raging at staff in 2018, he exploded: “I am absolutely furious, beyond belief. It’s my home, it’s my house. It’s my f**ing house. Nobody listens, nobody f**king listens do they? I will not put up with this, this is b*llocks.
"A driveway that cost me £26,000 is f**ked because somebody put a load of oil in the f**king bin that’s now dripped everywhere and f**king ruined my driveway. If this was somebody’s house you would end up with a massive bill. People would get fired and rightly so, if this was working for Endemol your a**e would be f**king fried. Show me and show my house more f**king respect - if not, you’re gone," he continued.
His grovelling apology came as the audio of him threatening to fire workers was leaked online, with the star admitting he 'overreacted'. Before the alleged audio of Martin was released, Blue Marlin TV - the production company connected to many of James' projects - seemingly addressed the claims made against the TV chef from 2018 when filming at his home.
The statement, shared with The Mirror, reads: "An unfortunate incident occurred after filming James Martin's Saturday Morning in 2018 where James' home was badly damaged. Blue Marlin Television accepted responsibility. James was shocked by what had happened and on reflection acknowledges he responded emotionally, which he wholly regrets.
"James apologises for any offence or upset caused, as he did at the time to the crew involved. Following this and some issues filming James Martin’s Spanish Adventures, James and Blue Marlin Television agree that lessons have been learned which have been discussed with members of the team and with ITV."
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