James Martin took viewers by surprise during his ITV cooking show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, with an unexpected announcement about his future.
Filming from Italy, away from the usual studio setting, James casually mentioned the possibility of retirement. While tasting a local seafood dish prepared by a chef, he joked, “Can I just say if your two sons don’t want to do this, you call me.” Laughing, he added, “I might retire here. I could be over there, doing this—it is fantastic.”
Later in the episode, James paused the cooking to update viewers on the day’s schedule. Noting that the episode would be shorter than usual because of ITV1’s Derby coverage, he said, “Because of the Derby on ITV1 this afternoon, it is a shorter episode than usual today. But we still have time for one more dish.”
READ MORE: Downton Abbey Tourists Spark Mixed Reactions but Boost Economy in Cotswolds Village
READ MORE: Alan Titchmarsh Urges Gardeners to Complete Crucial Tasks This Week or Face Disappointment
James Martin has hosted his own cooking series since 2017, and earlier this year revealed plans for a Live Tour in 2025. In an interview with Cotswold Life, he expressed excitement about performing at major venues such as Birmingham Symphony Hall, Newcastle O2, and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. “People think the live shows are going to be like my Saturday Morning show, but it’s really not. It’s fast-paced, fun comedy, made by a great team, and it is really cool,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, James described one of his proudest moments: “Walking out on that stage, seeing my mum and dad in the audience was magical. They knew how much I had worked and for how long to get there.”
During today’s episode, James also chatted with Harry Redknapp about Soccer Aid and welcomed chefs Daniel Clifford and Sally Abé. Sally prepared ricotta dumplings while Daniel impressed with his smoked butternut sorbet.
Fans can watch James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITVX.