James Martin previously stepped down as host of Saturday Kitchen in 2016 – but what was the real reason behind his departure?
The TV chef shocked fans after quitting the popular BBC cookery show following a 10-year run.
However, it was was actually the tragic death of a stranger that made James re-evaluate the role.
Why did James Martin quit Saturday Kitchen?
Back in 2015, James witnessed the sudden death of Dubai magazine boss Dominic De Sousa.
De Sousa died on stage of a suspected heart attack while hosting the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards.
Following his tragic passing, James started to re-evaluate his own life.
That was when I made the decision to change.
The TV chef opened up on the incident on Good Morning Britain in 2016.
On the show, James shared: “I was chatting to him and he stood up on stage and collapsed and passed away in front of me!
“That was when I made the decision to change.”
Read more: Who is James Martin’s girlfriend and why has Saturday Kitchen chef said he will never marry her?
Furthermore, he said: “That was over a year ago. And I looked back at all the work I’d done. I’d had four days off that year and five days off the year before.
“That’s when I realised things would have to change. It’s partly the reason I gave up Saturday Kitchen.”
Meanwhile, James also recalled the tragedy during an appearance on Loose Women.
‘I’ve readdressed the balance’
The much-loved star explained De Sousa’s death promoted him to address his work-life balance.
James added: “I’ve readdressed the balance, I didn’t have it for 15 years when I had too much television.
“Work was [a] fundamental [reason], I hadn’t had a day off for several years, or two days off together for nearly three years.”
Read more: James Martin gets ‘so much grief’ from ITV for drinking on his Saturday Morning show
However, James didn’t expect the huge reaction after breaking the news to fans.
The former Ready Steady Cook host told The Mirror: “I didn’t think leaving Saturday Kitchen would be such a big deal.
“I genuinely said to my agent, ‘Stick it out there, but no one will be bothered,’ and next minute it was all over the papers. It was like One Direction splitting up.”
What is James Martin up to now?
Thankfully, James is still a familiar face on television screens.
The chef began hosting James Martin’s Saturday Morning in 2017.
He also regularly appears on cooking segments on This Morning.
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