ITV stars and celebrities rally around James Martin amid 'bullying' row and cancer diagnosis
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James Martin has publicly addressed the 'bullying' claims with a personal statement
ITV
James Martin has publicly addressed the 'bullying' claims with a personal statement
James Martin's conduct on a number of his cooking shows for ITV have resulted in official complaints to be lodged with the broadcaster.
One incident in 2018 involved his house being flooded and Martin allegedly reacting furiously to crew members who were there to film James Martin's Saturday Morning.
Addressing the complaints and his behaviour, Martin admitted he "overreacted" and had "apologised" to the crew members affected at the time.
He's also shared a candid account of his personal life from the time, in which he received a shock cancer diagnosis, grieved the death of his last surviving grandparent, and his partner endured a home burglary.
Martin says these events built and left him in a "very emotional state" when the flooding occurred at his home.
The TV chef also admitted that the cancer found on his face has "returned on several occasions" and he has to have "regular treatments" for it to this day.
After Martin released the statement, a number of his colleagues and co-stars from ITV as well as faces from the culinary and showbiz world have reached out to show their support.
Dermot O'Leary is just one famous face who's shown their support to James
PA
Former Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing star Catherine Tyldesley commented on his Instagram post: "You are human. And a lovely, kind, welcoming, talented one at that.
"You don’t have to justify to anyone. You are allowed to have emotions. So sorry you’ve had to go through this. Sending love."
Elsewhere, First Dates star Fred Sirieix echoed: "Such a shame you felt compelled to do this. Keep your head up.
"I’m looking forward to your next show and to see you again x."
This Morning host and ITV regular Dermot O'Leary showed his support by commenting: "Chin up, shoulders back, butter ready to speed. X."
While Denise Van Outen remarked: "James & @ralph_loulabelle I love you both so much!
"You’ve always made me feel welcome and you know hanging out with you guys on your show with you’re brilliant team is one of my highlights of the year.
"I’m so sorry this has been put out into the public domain, when I know you’ve already apologised in private. Sending loads of love to you guys. Can’t wait to see you soon," Van Outen concluded.
"Oh man… sending you so much love. Sorry you are having to deal with this," said Natalie Imbruglia while Lizzie Cundy weighed in: "Bless you. So sorry you’ve been through all of this. And sorry you had to explain. Sending much love."
Deadline first reported Martin had been told to "change his behaviour" by ITV after allegations of "bullying" and "intimidation" were made against the chef.
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Catherine Tyldesley has also reached out to James Martin
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The publication also states that ITV is set to continue working with Martin and his production company Blue Marlin but is "monitoring closely" the conduct.
Responding to the allegations and reports, an ITV spokesperson told GB News: "At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority. 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 and Martin have also said "lessons have been learnt" following the saga.