James Martin reveals that he failed cookery class at school
TV chef James Martin returned with his weekend cookery show on Saturday, December 28 and made a surprise admission about his career to his guests.
James Martin's Saturday Morning on ITV featured appearances from tenor Russell Watson and '80s pop legend Kim Wilde as well as a number of celebrated chefs. It was during his chat with Russell that James made his confession.
The host asked Russell about his successful career when Russell told him: "I left school at 16 with no qualifications... I'm not an advocate for that by the way children..." he trailed off looking into the camera as James admitted: "Nor did I to be honest with you - I got Art. I failed Cookery in school."
The confession will have no doubt come as a surprise to viewers as James is now one of the country's most successful chefs. James, who grew up in a farming family, had his love of cooking ignited when he watched his mother in the kitchen.
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Despite failing his cookery exam at school, his love for it saw him go on to train in France before he returned to England and spent two years as a Pastry Chef at Chewton Glen Hotel on the edge of the New Forest. He now runs a number of his own restaurants including James Martin Manchester and James Martin at The Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds.
He first appeared on television in 1996 on programmes including James Martin: Yorkshire's Finest, Ready Steady Cook and The Big Breakfast.
From 2006 until 2016, he was the presenter of the BBC One Show Saturday Kitchen before moving to ITV to host his self-titled rival Saturday morning cooking show, where he cooks for a number of celebrity guests and invites the country's top chefs to also show off their skills.
During the latest TV show, James served up dishes for Russell and Kim with the help of chefs Paul Ainsworth and Pip Lacey, and master cocktail maker Merlin Griffiths, who is famous for his appearances in Channel 4's First Dates.
Many fans were delighted to see the return of Kim, who was chatting about her latest album, and took to X to react. One said: "Kim Wilde looks amazing." Another said: " You don't look any different Kim."
James Martin's Saturday Morning is on ITV1 Saturdays at 9.30am and on ITVX
