TV chef James Martin has been cooking up a storm on the telly for years – but he once made a heartbreaking confession about his health diagnosis and the struggles he faced while working with Ruth Langsford.
The telly star, 52, has been a favourite amongst viewers since he shot to fame.
But away from the spotlight and cameras, James lives with a health condition – something he has been candid about.
TV chef James Martin on living with dyslexia
In a resurfaced interview, James opened up about living with dyslexia – saying it has helped shape him who he is today.
Speaking to Gourmet Experiences last year, he said: “My dyslexia has always been a positive for me. Maybe less so at school back then – but as you learn to deal with it, it makes you more street smart and focused on the relevant things in life.”
He explained: “In business, it helps make you understand your shortfalls and recognise the skills and strengths in others. Respecting the team, staff and those around your working life is like building a giant jigsaw puzzle, so the team make up the missing pieces in yourself.”
The This Morning star went on to note that the “key” is that the team have to “believe in you”. This is so they stay with you through the hard times. James said: “You’ve got to lead from the front.”
‘Struggles’ with Ruth
James has been open about living with dyslexia. In an interview with Loose Women in 2021, he admitted he “cried his eyes out” not realising why he was struggling to read.
“I failed all my exams at school, I’ve never read a book in my life. I’ve written 34 books but the way I do it is I dictate it,” he explained. James added: “I didn’t realise until I was in my thirties when I started to do Saturday Kitchen and started to read the autocue.
He then revealed how working with Ruth Langsford saw him “struggle” with his dyslexia, forcing Ruth to “take over”.
“I quickly realised when I co-hosted This Morning with Ruth who was a good presenter and who wasn’t a good presenter. Ruth was taking over from me because I really struggled.”
James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen is on Saturdays at 9.30am on ITV1.
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