Television chef and Saturday Morning presenter James Martin, 53, is reportedly set to tie the knot with his girlfriend, personal trainer Kim Johnson, 39. This engagement marks a notable departure from James’s earlier stance, as he had previously expressed no interest in ever getting married.
The couple, who have been together for nearly two years, confirmed their relationship publicly in March 2024. According to insiders, they are “happier than ever,” with one source commenting, “When you know, you know.”
This change of heart comes as a surprise to many, given James’s past declaration that marriage held no appeal for him “in the slightest.” A close insider revealed to The Sun, “It’s taken James decades to finally get there, and friends share a wry smile at his U-turn on marriage. Everyone has seen the change in him since meeting Kim—he’s never been happier.” They added, “They are a wonderful couple.”
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James’s transformation has sparked speculation about how this will affect his former partner, Louise Davies, with whom he was in a 12-year relationship before they parted ways in December 2023. An insider noted, “He used to be fiercely private about his love life. It will be hard for Louise to see Kim with a huge diamond ring on her finger.”
Before his relationship with Kim, James was linked romantically to Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, while Kim was previously married to Elizabeth Hurley’s former husband Arun Nayar until their split in 2017.
In a recent podcast appearance on Good Housekeeping’s My Life in a Biscuit Tin, James opened up about life with Kim, revealing that she calls him a “nightmare to be around” due to his obsessive nature. He explained that his meticulous attention to detail and obsession with perfection help fuel his success in the kitchen. He also spoke about undergoing full refractive lens surgery, which dramatically improved his eyesight, humorously noting, “People are now scared at work because I can see stuff a mile off.”
This engagement reflects a significant shift in James Martin’s personal life and opens a new chapter for the celebrated chef and TV personality.