TV chef James Martin has apologised for his alleged conduct following bullying claims made by staff members.
It comes as Martin opened up on one of the "most fraught and difficult periods of my life" which included a shock cancer diagnosis.
What did James Martin say to his staff?
In July 2023, former Saturday Kitchen star James Martin was allegedly warned by ITV following claims that he reduced crew members on his show to tears.
ITV were made aware of a recent incident that occurred on his travel cooking show – James Martin's Spanish Adventure -having already investigated claims of James' 'intimidating' nature back in 2018.
According to US publication Deadline, Martin was "accused of berating people" and "reducing them to tears in front of other colleagues" in May 2023.
The news outlet also alleged he was "changing schedules at the last minute, giving his team just a few hours of sleep before the following morning's shoot".
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It was then claimed he turned up late, despite being the one who changed the schedule.
A producer who worked with Martin 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.”
As a result, ITV's Head of Entertainment Katie Rawcliffe is believed to have approached both James and his agent Fiona Lindsay who helps run his production company, Blue Marlin – about the claims.
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An ITV spokesperson said: ''At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority. The production companies who make shows for us have primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen.
"We make clear our expectations in this regard as part of our pre-greenlight duty of care processes. This includes having appropriate independent controls in place to enable everyone who works on their shows to confidently and confidentially raise concerns.
''Following a complaint we received in May from members of the Blue Marlin production team about the filming of James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, we contacted Blue Marlin to discuss these concerns and to understand how the issues raised were being addressed and what actions were being taken.
''As a result, we made a number of recommendations for Blue Marlin to implement as soon as possible, sharing best practice of some of our own relevant procedures around staff welfare and reiterating our Supplier Code of Conduct.''
How has James Martin responded to bullying claims?
Following the alleged claims, ITV has said Martin admitted "lessons have been learned" and has apologised for ''any offence or upset caused''.
A spokesman for Blue Marlin told The Sun: "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.
"Blue Marlin Television and James Martin have taken on board ITV's recommendations and their sharing of best practice, and are in the process of fully implementing.
"Since the 2018 incident, Blue Marlin Television has continued to film over 500 shows at James’ home.
"Blue Marlin Television remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all those with whom they work is of the utmost priority."
When did James Martin have cancer?
In July 2023, Martin revealed that he underwent surgery for cancer on his face in 2018, before it returned on ''several occasions''.
Martin shared his shock cancer diagnosis as he responded to leaked audio of him berating staff.
In response to the recording, Martin said said the incident occurred during "one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life'' as he was diagnosed with cancer, suffered a family bereavement and was the victim of a burglary.
The chef said: ''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."
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What is James Martin doing now?
Martin runs a number of restaurants, including a spot in Manchester, The Kitchen at Chewton Glen in Hampshire, and the Tavern and Grill at The Lygon Arms – located in the heart of The Cotswolds.
He is also the author of over 20 cookbooks.
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