James Martin discussed his plans for the next year (Image: ITV)

James Martin reveals ITV show future as chef addresses 'lucrative' offer to leave UK

by · Birmingham Live

Celebrity chef James Martin has shared details about a tempting proposition he's received to launch a restaurant in Barbados as he discusses the future of his popular ITV show James Martin's Saturday Morning. The 52 year old first made waves on television as the host of BBC's Saturday Kitchen from 2006 until 2016 before hopping channels to ITV.

Speaking with Best magazine, James opened up about his plans for the forthcoming year, which include the exciting Caribbean venture. He revealed: "We're recording the Saturday show all next year, I'm touring and there's a restaurant in Barbados that I've been offered, which I'd quite like to look at, too. In between all that, I'm hoping for a day off."

James grabbed the baton from Antony Worrall Thompson as the main presenter on Saturday Kitchen in 2006 and under his guidance, the programme soared in popularity, attracting up to 3.8 million viewers at its peak.

The decision to leave Saturday Kitchen came in February 2016, with the chef attributing his departure to a wish to focus on his other professional pursuits and the lure of leisurely Saturday mornings, reports the Express.

James Martin has a busy year ahead (Image: Getty Images)

The following year marked the inception of Saturday Morning with James Martin on rival broadcaster ITV. Discussing the switch from the BBC was 'nerve-wracking', he told Best, but his ambition was to 'leave on a high'.

James remarked: "We had 3.8 million people watching Saturday Kitchen, and I didn't want to leave when it was on the decline.

"I didn't want to do anymore TV then, I wanted to concentrate on my restaurants. But ITV tempted me with the Saturday morning show.

"I filmed it from my garage to free up my time and now, somehow, we're about to do the 300th show."

James is set to film the 300th episode of his ITV show next year (Image: ITV)

James also went on to say he doesn't feel comfortable being seen as a sex symbol.

He reckons fellow celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo fits that role in the chef community.

"You'd better speak to Gino, as he apparently the biggest sex symbol among the chefs," he continued.

"I'm 50 bloody two. I'm just a chap who loves food, and probably loves eating it more than Gino."

You can see James on James Martin's Saturday Morning at 9.30am this morning (Saturday, November 16) on ITV.