Celebrity chef James Martin is reportedly planning to walk down the aisle for the first time, having become engaged to his partner of nearly two years, personal trainer Kim Johnson.
A Surprising Change of Heart
The 53-year-old television star, best known for presenting Saturday Kitchen, has famously been a lifelong bachelor, once declaring that marriage 'doesn't interest me in the slightest'. However, sources close to the couple confirm that meeting 39-year-old Kim has prompted a dramatic U-turn.
'Everyone has seen the change in him since meeting Kim,' an insider revealed, adding that James is 'never been happier'. The engagement news, first reported by The Sun, suggests the chef will end 2025 with wedding bells.
An Unconventional Proposal
True to his character as a known car enthusiast, James's proposal to Kim was far from traditional. It is believed the chef gifted his now-fiancée a brand-new Land Rover Defender after she accepted.
The couple's relationship moved quickly, with friends noting their strong connection. 'James and Kim may have been dating for less than two years, but when you know, you know,' a source said, while sharing a 'wry smile' at the chef's complete reversal on his staunch anti-marriage stance.
From Long-Term Love to a Public Split
James's engagement to Kim follows his 12-year relationship with TV producer Louise Davies. The pair, who met on Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2010, split amicably in late 2023, with a spokesperson confirming they remained 'firm friends'.
Prior to Louise, the chef had a highly publicised four-and-a-half-year romance with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, now 65. They began dating in 2001 after she paid £18,000 for him to cook a charity dinner for her. James, then 29, later described her as 'the first real love of my life'.
Despite the significant age gap, he insisted it was never an issue, but they eventually parted ways. He reflected that walking away from someone who loved him so much was 'hard', but likely the 'most sensible' thing he had done.
Looking to the Future
For Kim, this will be her second marriage. She was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar, the ex-husband of actress Elizabeth Hurley, from July 2016 until 2017.
James, who has no children and once referred to his classic car collection as his 'babies', now appears to be embarking on a new chapter. Representatives for James Martin have been contacted for comment regarding the engagement reports.
