James Martin shares cancer battle as star opens up on 'regular treatments' in candid statement
James Martin unveils cancer diagnosis
PA
James Martin has taken to social media to issue a lengthy statement addressing an incident in 2018 in which ITV received complaints about his conduct.
In the statement, Martin has revealed he's been suffering from cancer and has been having "regular treatment" for the past five years.
Martin also branded the time leading up to the 2018 incident as "one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life" following the death of a grandparent and a burglary at his home.
His statement was shared on Twitter and reads: "Firstly, I would like to publicly and sincerely apologise to the crew involved in this incident, as I did at the time.
"I have always strived to keep my private life private.
"However since details of a conversation, which was secretly recorded in January 2018, are now five years later being made public by a former member of our production team, I have decided to make a statement."
James Martin fronts a number of ITV shows
ITV
He divulged: "The end of 2017 was one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life.
"I was dealing with the death of my last living grandparent, my grandfather, and on account of work commitments I could not attend his funeral.
"Later that month I was burgled at night by a team of masked men, who entered my house while my partner Louise was at home alone and I was away working.
"I was devastated that she had to go through that alone," Martin added.
Revealing his health battle, he continued: "On top of this 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.
"All this stress I was in a very emotional state, and when after filming in early January 2018 I discovered my home had been flooded while filming, I was extremely upset.
"I can only say I am human and following a build-up of personal life pressure, I admit that I overreacted regarding the damage to my home."
Martin's statement comes after Deadline revealed ITV has asked the chef to "change his behaviour" while filming his shows for the broadcaster.
ITV received an official complaint in 2018 but another was also lodged in May this year in regards to Martin's conduct on the set of James Martin's Spanish Adventure.
Martin is reported to still be part of ITV's plans but the aforementioned publication claims ITV will "closely monitor" his behaviour.
The broadcaster released a statement to GB News when contacted in regards to the complaints against Martin. It reads: "At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority.
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James Martin's Saturday Morning takes to breakfast slot on ITV each Saturday
ITV
"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."
Blue Marlin, the production company ran by Martin, has also issued a statement of its own in which it says "lessons have been learnt".