James Martin issues cancer update as TV chef confirms 'break' from work duties
James Martin has announced a break from work
ITV
Chef James Martin has confirmed he'll be taking a break from work commitments in order to "sort" his cancer.
After being embroiled in a spat at ITV over his behaviour, Martin explained the context for an incident with crew members at his home while filming one of his cooking shows.
Martin listed off a number of instances from the end of 2017 - around the time an incident with crew members occurred - which contributed to the "most fraught and difficult periods of my life".
When he addressed the reports about his behaviour and conversations with ITV, Martin revealed that a cancer diagnosis and subsequent regular treatments added to the tough period of his life.
The TV chef has now addressed how his battle with the illness is going during a stage performance at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall on Monday.
Speaking to the crowd at the gig, in which he performed with his band Midnight Ramblers, Martin told his fans [via Liverpool Echo]: "On a personal note, I just wanted to say thank you for 30 years of television.
Liverpool! Big love to you all, what an ending to a great night thank you! Not too sure about the light up groin pic…but fab night, thank you for coming. Newcastle tomorrow, can’t wait! #ontour #ontheroadagain #jamesmartintour pic.twitter.com/IeVB06Mv9r
— James Martin (@jamesmartinchef) November 6, 2023
"For me personally, I've been through a lot of s**t with cancer but I'm getting sorted at the end of next month.
"I will be back fighting at the end of February but I'm going on a little bit of a break to get that sorted.
"I just wanted to say thank you for all your support and all your messages," Martin added to a raucous crowd.
He later took to X, formerly Twitter, to thank the Liverpool crowd once again for their support during the gig.
Martin penned: "Liverpool! Big love to you all, what an ending to a great night thank you!"
Poking fun at the accompanying photo in the tweet, he added: "Not too sure about the light up groin pic…but fab night, thank you for coming. Newcastle tomorrow, can’t wait! #ontour #ontheroadagain #jamesmartintour.
The TV chef's tour will conclude at the London Palladium on Sunday before he heads on his break.
His full statement in which he addressed the allegations and revealed his cancer diagnosis read: "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.
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James Martin fronts a number of series on ITV PA"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.
"After 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 wrote.